Porous ceramic article and method of manufacturing the same

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to porous ceramic articles and a method of making the same. The porous ceramic articles have microstructure of sinter bonded or reaction bonded large pre-reacted particles and pore network structure exhibiting large pore necks. The method of making the porous ceramic articles involves using pre-reacted particles having one or more phases. A plastic ceramic precursor composition is also disclosed. The composition includes a mixture of at least one of dense, porous, or hollow spheroidal pre-reacted particles and a liquid vehicle.

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 ofU.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/825,200 filed on May 20, 2013,the content of which is relied upon and incorporated herein by referencein its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate to porous ceramicarticles and a method of making the same. Exemplary embodiments of thepresent disclosure relate to porous ceramic articles havingmicrostructure including sinter bonded or reaction bonded largepre-reacted particles and pore network structure and a method of makingporous ceramic articles using pre-reacted particles.

2. Discussion of the Background

Cordierite, silicon carbide, and aluminum titanate-based honeycombs havebeen widely used for a variety of applications including catalyticsubstrates and filters for diesel and gasoline engine exhaust aftertreatment.

To meet increasingly stringent emission regulations for light and heavyduty vehicles, the substrate and filter materials have to be highlyporous to allow gas flow through the walls without restricting theengine power, have to show high filtration efficiency for emittedparticles, and, at the same time, are expected to demonstrate low backpressure. The substrates and filters also have to be able to withstandthe erosive/corrosive exhaust environment and bear thermal shock duringrapid heating and cooling. Regulation of CO₂ emission and raising fuelcost drive miniaturization and integrated functionality in the exhaustgas after-treatment system. It may be desirable to reduce the number ofcomponents in the after-treatment system, decrease their size andimplement multi-functionality of the different components. For example,integrating de-NOx catalyst and diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) intodiesel particulate filters may be desired. To reach high de-NOxefficiency, rather high loading of de-NOx catalyst is required togetherwith a high catalyst activity at low temperature, such as can be foundfor Cu-zeolites. Trends and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs)desires may drive zeolite catalyst loading to high levels of 200 g/l. Inorder to meet this loading target and preserve low pressure drop, thefilter substrate may need high porosity and large pore size, forexample, around 60% porosity with a median pore size of 18 μm or larger.

High porosity and large pore size that enables high de-NOx efficiencyare expected to not degrade the particulate filtration efficiency. Theyshould also not decrease the thermo-mechanical properties of the filter.Cordierite and aluminum titanate may both have low thermal expansion andare therefore suited for applications where high thermal shockresistance is required. Both materials show anisotropy in their thermalexpansion with different crystallographic directions exhibiting positiveand negative expansion. Due to the anisotropy in thermal expansion,mismatch strains build up between grains with different crystallographicorientation; such strains can lead to microcracking. Polycrystallinecordierite or aluminum titanate ceramics may undergo extensivemicrocracking during thermal cycling. Microcracks open during coolingand close, sometimes even heal during heating. This creates a hysteresisresponse to thermal cycling with differences between heating and coolingthat can be attributed to the reversible microcrack formation andclosure. As a consequence of microcracking, the overall coefficient ofthermal expansion (CTE) of the ceramics may be lower than thecrystallographic average CTE.

On first look, microcracking may seem beneficial; the thermal shockresistance of the material, which is proportional to the material'sstrength and inversely proportional to its elastic modulus and thermalexpansion, is expected to be improved by microcracking. However, thematerial strength also decreases with increasing microcrack density.Microcrack densities in cordierite remain rather low, due to the smalldifference in crystallographic thermal expansion and large grain(domain) sizes required to reach the stress threshold for microcracking.As a result of a much larger anisotropy in crystallographic expansion,microcrack densities in aluminum titanate-based materials are muchhigher and strongly influence the ceramic article's strength.

Porous cordierite and aluminum titanate based honeycomb ceramic articleswith low thermal expansion, high porosity, low Young's modulus and highstrength are utilized as high-performance automotive catalytic convertersubstrates and diesel particulate filters. For cordierite products, rawmaterials such as alumina, talc, clay, magnesia, alumina and silicapowders may be mixed with organic binders and pore formers. For aluminumtitanate composite products, raw materials such as alumina, titaniapowders and raw materials for forming the “filler” phase, for examplestrontium oxide, alumina, silica to form feldspar (strontium aluminumsilicate feldspar or “SAS”), may be mixed with organic binders, poreformers and water to form a plastic mixture. The plastic mixture may beextruded or otherwise shaped into a green body of desired shape, forexample, a honeycomb, trough log or disk filter, dried, and then firedto temperatures between 1350° C. and 1450° C., depending on the rawmaterial combination. During the drying and firing process, the rawmaterial particles react, and form, via various intermediates, the finalcrystalline cordierite or alumina titanate composite. The shaped greenpart transforms upon firing into a solid, durable porous ceramicarticle. Other substrate and filter honeycomb materials or mixtures ofmaterials that upon high temperature treatments react to form oxide ornon-oxide ceramics, may include metals, intermetallics, mullite, alumina(Al₂O₃), zircon, alkali and alkaline-earth alumino-silicates, spinels,perovskites, zirconia, ceria, silicon nitride (Si₃N₄), silicon aluminumoxynitride (SiAlON), and zeolites.

Diesel particulate filters (DPF) and gasoline particulate filters (GPF)may be obtained from a honeycomb porous ceramic by plugging channels ina checkerboard pattern on one end and plugging the remaining channels atthe other end to form a filter with inlet and outlet channels. Theexhaust gas flows into the open inlet channels, through the wall of thehoneycomb (through-wall flow) because the inlet channels are plugged atthe other end and out of the outlet channels, which are plugged at theinlet end. During exhaust gas passage through the porous honeycomb wall,small particulates from the exhaust gas are deposited on the poresurface or as the soot layer on the wall surface, thus providingfiltering of the exhaust gas. The soot cake of deposited particulatesmay be periodically burned in a regeneration cycle or continuouslyduring passive regeneration so that the DPF or GPF has a lifetimesimilar to that of the vehicle. Alternative filter designs may be used,such as radial trough filters or radial disk filters, which compared tothe honeycomb design with its long, narrow gas flow channels may showwider gas flow channels and a stronger radial component for the gasflow, but share the same particulate filtering of the gas when passingthrough the thin porous ceramic wall and offer the same opportunity forde-NOx functionality with incorporation of a suited catalyst in thewall-porosity and/or on the channel walls.

Tightening of exhaust gas regulations may call for higher particulatefiltration efficiency, particularly for small particle size, and forhigher NO_(x) filtration efficiency, not only in the currentlyestablished test cycles, but also in continuous real-world driving. CO₂regulations may call for use of less fuel and OEMs demand lower pressuredrops, both at improved thermal shock resistance and extended lifetimeof the porous ceramic honeycomb substrate. To meet these demands,substrates and filters with higher porosity, larger pore size, withthinner honeycomb walls than currently in use may be needed.

The above information disclosed in this Background section is only forenhancement of understanding of the background of the invention asclaimed and therefore it may contain information that does not form anypart of the prior art nor what the prior art may suggest to a person ofordinary skill in the art.

SUMMARY

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide porous ceramicarticles having microstructures characterized by sinter bonded orreaction bonded engineered spheroidal particles and pore networks.

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure also provide a method ofmaking porous ceramic articles using sinter bonded or reaction bondedengineered spheroidal particles.

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure also provide a plasticceramic precursor batch composition for making porous ceramic articleshaving microstructures characterized by sinter bonded or reaction bondedengineered spheroidal particles and pore networks.

Additional features of the invention will be set forth in thedescription which follows, and in part will be apparent from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the invention.

An exemplary embodiment discloses a method of making a porous ceramicarticle. The method includes forming green particles of at least 10 μmdiameter, calcining the green particles to form pre-reacted particles,mixing the pre-reacted particles and a liquid vehicle to form a pasteand forming the paste into a wet green body. The pre-reacted particlesinclude at least one of dense, porous, or hollow spheroidal particles,and the pre-reacted particles include one or more phases. The methodincludes drying the wet green body to form a dried green body and firingthe dried green body to form the porous ceramic article.

An exemplary embodiment also discloses a method of making a porousceramic article having inverse porosity pore structure. The methodincludes forming green particles of at least 10 μm diameter, calciningthe green particles to form pre-reacted particles, mixing thepre-reacted particles and a liquid vehicle to form a paste. Thepre-reacted particles comprise at least one of dense, porous, or hollowspheroidal particles and the pre-reacted particles comprise one or morephases. The method includes forming the paste into a wet green body,drying the wet green body to form a dried green body, and firing thedried green body to form the porous ceramic article comprising inverseporosity pore structure. The porous ceramic article comprises a porosityof at least 50% and a median pore size (d50) of 10 to 30 μm.

An exemplary embodiment also discloses a porous ceramic body including amicrostructure of solid matter and a network of contiguous pores withlarge pore necks. The porous ceramic body has a permeability of greaterthan or equal to 1000, a porosity greater than or equal to 50%, a medianpore size (d50) greater than 10 μm, a coefficient of thermal expansion(CTE) in a range of 2×10⁻⁷ K⁻¹ to 20×10⁻⁷K⁻¹ from room temperature (25°C.) to 800° C., a strain tolerance greater than 0.10%, and an MORgreater than 170 psi for a honeycomb geometry (300/14) or equivalent.

An exemplary embodiment also discloses a porous ceramic body including amicrostructure of sinter bonded or reaction bonded large pre-reactedparticles and pore network structure exhibiting large pore necks. Thesinter bonded or reaction bonded large pre-reacted particles comprise ahomogeneous phase mixture or a phase distribution of reaction productlayers and green phases.

An exemplary embodiment also discloses a plastic ceramic precursor batchcomposition for making a porous ceramic article. The plastic ceramicprecursor batch includes at least one of dense, porous, and hollowpre-reacted particles, and a liquid vehicle, wherein the pre-reactedparticles comprise one or more phases.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and areintended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of thedisclosure, and together with the description serve to explain theprinciples of the claimed invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic flow diagram of a method of making a porousceramic honeycomb article according to an exemplary embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIG. 2A shows green particle shapes. FIG. 2B shows reactions of the finepowder particles of the green particle after calcining to form thepre-reacted particle. FIG. 2C is a schematic showing (i) a densepre-reacted particle, (ii) a porous pre-reacted particle, and (iii) ahollow pre-reacted particle.

FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram of a cross section through a porousceramic article showing a regular porosity microstructure with narrowpore necks and FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram of a cross section througha porous ceramic article showing an inverse porosity microstructure withlarge pore necks according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a graphical plot of particle size distributions of greenparticles made by spray-drying as a function of solid loading (TS)according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a graphical plot of the evolution of particle sizedistributions of green particles made by spray-drying at fixed solidloading (30% solid loading (TS) of boehmite/3% silica from Ludox®) thatwere obtained with different spray-dryer outlet temperature according toan exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrograph of a polishedcross section of pre-fired, spray-dried particles with alumina-basedcomposition, after firing at 1670° C. for 120 h, showing a significantfraction of hollow particles according to an exemplary embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIG. 7 is a graphical plot of the evolution of spray-dried particle sizeas function of solid loading showing that a broad particle sizedistribution is obtained at 40% solid loading according to an exemplaryembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a graphical plot of the evolution of spray-dried particle sizeat fixed solid loading (30% TS of alumina A1000/3% silica from Ludox®)as function of spray-dryer outlet temperatures of 90° C. and 120° C.according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 9 shows SEM micrographs of green particles obtained by spray-dryingalumina/3% silica with Triton and various levels of Antifoam between 0and 6% according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 10 shows SEM micrographs of green particles obtained byspray-drying alumina/3% silica with various levels of Darvan® between 0and 5%, illustrating that addition of Darvan® yields particles withsmooth surface, but donut shape according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe disclosure.

FIG. 11 shows SEM micrographs of green particles obtained byspray-drying alumina/3% silica with various levels of Duramax® between 0and 5%, illustrating that Duramax® yields non-agglomerated particles,the size distribution of which is independent of the Duramax® level, theparticle shape becomes more spherical with increasing Duramax® fraction,and the particle surfaces of which become porous at high Duramax® levelsaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 12A shows SEM micrographs of particles as spray-dried (green)(left) and after calcining (pre-reacted) at 1600° C. (right) accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 12B is a graphicalplot of green and pre-reacted particle size distributions as illustratedby the samples of FIG. 12A.

FIGS. 13A, 13B, and 13C are a series of SEM micrographs of pre-reactedparticles made from green particles of spray-dried alumina (boehmite)with 17% silica (Ludox®), after firing to 1410° C. (FIG. 13A), 1610° C.with short hold time (FIG. 13B) and 1610° C. with long hold time (FIG.13C) according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

FIGS. 14A and 14B are SEM micrographs of pre-reacted particles with fullinorganic batch composition (aluminum titanate+feldspar) afterpre-firing at 1200° C. according to an exemplary embodiment of thedisclosure. FIG. 14A is a regular surface view of the particles and FIG.14B is a cross section of the particles. FIGS. 14C and 14D are regularsurface and cross sectional SEM micrographs of pre-reacted particleshaving the same composition as in FIGS. 14A and 14B after pre-firing at1300° C. according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

FIGS. 15A and 15B are SEM micrographs of pre-reacted particles ofExample No. OTS, made from spray-dried powder with 2% boron oxideaddition after rotary calcining at 1100° C., regular view and polishedcross section according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

FIGS. 16A, 16B, and 16C show AT-type extruded greenware, in whichalumina and a small fraction of silica had been replaced by green,charred, or pre-fired spray-dried powders of alumina/3% silica/organicbinder according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure. FIG. 16Ashows the green (as-spray-dried) particles incorporated into the batch,FIG. 16B shows pre-reacted (spray-dried and fired) particlesincorporated into the batch, and FIG. 16C shows charred (spray-dried andfired only to low temperature) particles incorporated into the batch.FIG. 16D shows a SEM image at higher magnification of FIG. 16B (firstrow) made without any addition, FIG. 16E shows a SEM image at highermagnification of FIG. 16B (second row) with addition of 5% Darvan, andFIG. 16F shows a SEM image of FIG. 16B (third row) with addition of 5%Duramax (polished cross sections).

FIG. 17A shows a graphical comparison of pore size distribution inExamples of porous ceramic articles having spray-dried alumina/3% silicawith 5% Duramax using green, charred, or pre-fired to 1300° C.spray-dried particles. FIG. 17B shows a graphical comparison of poresize distribution in Examples of porous ceramic articles havingpre-fired to 1300° C. spray-dried alumina/3% silica with organicadditives.

SEM images of AT-type batch extruded and fired ware made withspray-dried alumina/3% silica are shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B for greenspray-dried particles, and FIGS. 18C, and 18D for charred spray-driedparticles.

FIGS. 19A and 19B show SEM images of the inverse porositycharacteristics in the bulk and at the surface, phase distribution, andlow microcrack density in AT-type extruded and fired ware made fromspray-dried, pre-fired (pre-reacted) particles of alumina/3% silicaaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

FIGS. 20A, 20B, 20C, and 20D show SEM images of AT-type batch extrudedand fired ware made with pre-reacted (spray-dried, pre-fired) particlesalumina/3% silica with 5% Darvan according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe disclosure. FIG. 20A shows a polished cross section through ahoneycomb channel wall. FIG. 20B shows details of the inverse porosity.FIG. 20C shows details of surface porosity, and FIG. 20D shows detailsof phase distribution and microcracking.

FIG. 21 shows SEM images of AT-type batch fired ware made fromspray-dried, pre-fired alumina/3% silica with 5% Duramax, illustratingporosity, surface porosity, phase distribution and microcrackingaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 21(a) showsa polished cross section through a honeycomb channel wall. FIG. 21(b)shows details of the inverse porosity. FIGS. 21(c) and 21(d) showdetails of phase distribution and microcracking. FIGS. 21(e) and 21(f)show details of the surface and surface porosity.

FIG. 22A shows a polished cross-section of a wall of AT porous ceramichoneycomb fired at 1427° C./15 h having about 50% porosity and particlesof spray-dried alumina/3% silica pre-fired at 1300° C. according to anexemplary embodiment of the disclosure. FIGS. 22B and 22C show thepolished cross-section at greater magnifications illustrating theregular porosity with small pore necks and the phase distribution. FIGS.22D, 22E, and 22F are SEM micrographs of the fired, unpolished surfacethat illustrate pore and phase interconnectivity.

FIG. 23A is a SEM micrograph of a polished cross-section of a wall of ATporous ceramic honeycomb having spray-dried pre-fired alumina/3%silica/lanthanum oxide particles according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe disclosure showing inverse porosity with large pore necks. FIGS. 23Band 23C show the polished cross-section at greater magnificationsillustrating the inverse porosity with large pore necks and the phasedistribution. FIG. 23D is a SEM micrograph of the unpolished surface ofthe AT porous ceramic honeycomb of FIG. 23A illustrating pore andpre-reacted particle interconnectivity.

FIG. 24A shows a polished cross-section of a wall of AT porous ceramichoneycomb fired at 1427° C./15 h having about 55% porosity andpre-reacted particles of spray-dried titania/silica pre-fired to 1300°C. with average particle size of about 13 μm according to an exemplaryembodiment of the disclosure. FIGS. 24B and 24C show the polishedcross-section at greater magnifications illustrating the pore structureand phase distribution. FIGS. 24D, 24E, and 24F are SEM micrographs ofthe fired, unpolished surface that illustrate pore and phaseinterconnectivity.

FIG. 25A shows a polished cross-section of a wall of AT porous ceramichoneycomb fired at 1427° C./15 h having about 54% porosity and made frompre-reacted particles of spray-dried titania/silica pre-fired to 1300°C. with average particle size of about 13 μm and particles ofspray-dried alumina/silica pre-fired to 1300° C. with average particlesize of about 16 μm according to an exemplary embodiment of thedisclosure. FIGS. 25B and 25C show the polished cross-section at greatermagnifications illustrating the regular porosity with small pore necksand the phase distribution. FIGS. 25D, 25E, and 25F are SEM micrographsof the fired, unpolished surface that illustrate pore and phaseconnectivity.

FIG. 26A shows a polished cross-section of a wall of AT porous ceramichoneycomb fired at 1427° C./15 h made with pre-reacted particles ofspray-dried titania/silica pre-fired to 1300° C. with average particlesize of about 13 μm and particles of spray-dried alumina/silicapre-fired to 1600° C. with average particle size of about 13 μmaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. FIGS. 26B and26C show the polished cross-section at greater magnificationsillustrating the pore structure and the phase distribution. FIGS. 26D,26E, and 26F are SEM micrographs of the fired, unpolished surface thatillustrate pore and phase interconnectivity.

FIG. 27A shows a polished cross-section of a wall of AT porous ceramichoneycomb made from particles of pre-fired spray-dried full batchcomposition and fine alumina as binder according to an exemplaryembodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 27B shows the polished cross-sectionat greater magnification and FIG. 27C shows the as-fired wall surfaceillustrating the spheroid packing of the inverse porosity with smallparticle necks and large pore necks.

FIGS. 28A, 28B, and 28C show SEM images of AT-type batch extruded andfired ware made from hollow pre-reacted calcined at 1650° C. for 15 hr,the extruded material was fired at 1410° C. according to an exemplaryembodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 28A shows a polished cross sectionthrough a honeycomb channel wall showing preserved hollow spheres andinverse porosity. FIG. 28B shows details of the solid phases and inverseporosity. FIG. 28C shows details of surface porosity and material.

FIGS. 29A and 29B are graphical plots of data showing the evolution ofporosity, median pore size (d50) and modulus of rupture (MOR) of porousceramic articles comprising aluminum titanate composition that wereobtained from batch material including pre-reacted powders of aluminawith different silica content according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe disclosure.

FIGS. 30A, 30B, 30C, and 30D show changes in CTE cooling-heating curveshape for AT-type materials made with pre-reacted particles ofspray-dried alumina/3% silica with different organic additive type andvolume.

FIG. 31 is a graphical plot of data of pressure drop as function of sootloading for uncoated porous ceramic filter samples made with pre-reactedpowders as batch materials according to exemplary embodiments of thedisclosure and a comparative sample made with commercial raw materials.

FIG. 32 is a graphical plot of data of filtration efficiency as functionof soot loading for uncoated porous ceramic filter samples made withspray-dried pre-fired raw materials according to exemplary embodimentsof the disclosure and a comparative sample made with commercial rawmaterials.

FIGS. 33A, 33B, 33C, 33D and 33E show SEM images of cordierite-typebatch extruded and fired ware made from pre-reacted particles,spray-dried Example No. OJJ, pre-fired at 1410° C., the extrudedmaterial was fired at 1300° C. according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe disclosure. FIG. 33A shows a surface of a honeycomb wall indicatingporosity shape and distribution. FIG. 33B shows a polished cross sectionthrough a honeycomb channel wall showing inverse porosity. FIG. 33Cshows details of the solid phases. FIGS. 33D and 33E show details ofsurface porosity and material.

FIGS. 34A, 34B, 34C, and 34D show SEM images of cordierite-type batchextruded and fired ware made from pre-reacted particles, spray-driedExample No. OJJ pre-fired at 1410° C.; the extruded material was firedat 1610° C. according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. FIG.34A shows a polished cross section through a honeycomb channel wallshowing inverse porosity. FIG. 34B shows details of the solid phases,microcracking and inverse porosity. FIGS. 34C and 34D show details ofsurface porosity and material.

FIG. 35 shows the pore size distribution for the Example shown in FIGS.33A-E.

FIG. 36 shows the thermal expansion of the Examples shown in FIGS. 33A-Eand FIGS. 34A-D.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

The claimed invention is described more fully hereinafter with referenceto the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the disclosure areshown. This claimed invention may, however, be embodied in manydifferent forms and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided sothat this disclosure is thorough, and will fully convey the scope of theclaimed invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, the sizeand relative sizes of layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity.Like reference numerals in the drawings denote like elements.

It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to asbeing “on” or “connected to” another element or layer, it can bedirectly on or directly connected to the other element or layer, orintervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when anelement or layer is referred to as being “directly on” or “directlyconnected to” another element or layer, there are no interveningelements or layers present. It will be understood that for the purposesof this disclosure, “at least one of X, Y, and Z” can be construed as Xonly, Y only, Z only, or any combination of two or more items X, Y, andZ (e.g., XYZ, XYY, YZ, ZZ).

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a porousceramic article and the production thereof. The porous ceramic articlemay be made of aluminum titanate based materials, such as aluminumtitanate solid solution (pseudobrookite) as the main phase (greater than50 vol %) and other phases such as cordierite, feldspar, mullite,spinel, alumina, rutile, or similar oxides, cordierite, or other oxideor non-oxide ceramics, including metals, intermetallics, mullite,alumina (Al₂O₃), zircon, alkali and alkaline-earth alumino-silicates,spinels, perovskites, zirconia, ceria, silicon oxide (SiO₂), siliconnitride (Si₃N₄), silicon aluminum oxynitride (SiAlON), and zeolites.Application of the porous ceramic article may include, for example,honeycomb integrated and non-integrated diesel and gasoline catalystsupports, substrates, and particulate filters. Exemplary embodiments ofthe present disclosure also relate to a porous ceramic article and batchcompositions including pre-reacted particles, and a process for makingthe porous ceramic article by using at least one batch material in theform of pre-reacted particles.

The pre-reacted particles may be of selected composition, structure,size, and size distribution to impose a reaction path and microstructuredevelopment during reactive firing of the porous ceramic article. Theporous ceramic article produced with the pre-reacted particles may havean engineered pore distribution and phase distribution, which may bereferred to herein as the pore network structure and the microstructure.The microstructure may be characterized by phases within the solidmatter and the morphology may be characterized by the shape of thematter and the shape of the pores within the ceramic article. Generally,the microstructure and morphology are characterized by matter and porechannels of two-dimensional cross sections through the three dimensionalstructure. The porous ceramic article made from the pre-reactedparticles may have a “normal” porosity of small pore necks and largematter necks or “inverse” porosity of large pore necks and small matternecks with large pore size in the final, fired ceramic. Pore necks maybe considered the channels connecting pores. In microstructures havingpores created by fugitive pore formers, the pores are generallyspherical or other shape with small connecting channels where the poresintersect one another, as an example of normal porosity with small porenecks. On the other hand, in microstructures having pre-reactedspheroidal particles forming the microstructure, pores may be formedbetween the particle material as an example of inverse porosity withlarge pore necks. In the latter case the pore channels are wider andshow less constriction for gas flow.

The porous ceramic article having the pre-reacted particles according toan exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides improveddiesel particulate filter (DPF), gasoline particulate filter (GPF),catalyst support, substrate, and combined substrate particulate filterproduct properties compared to porous ceramic articles made from powderbatches without pre-reacted particles. Porous ceramic articles made frombatches with pre-reacted particles exhibited large pore size and highporosity, good strength and low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE)that enable, low pressure drop at higher washcoat and catalyst loading.Thus, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure enable integrationof high selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst loading and highde-NO_(x) catalyst efficiency at low pressure drop, high filtrationefficiency, and good thermal shock resistance.

Use of spray-dried particles for good particle packing and narrow poresize distributions was attempted for making porous bodies appliedthrough processes, such as pressing into shape and natural sintering.However, green spray-dried powders did not successfully surviveextrusion processes. In fact, the inventors have run into manyroadblocks and dead ends in attempting to use green spray-dried powderssuccessfully in extrusion processes. Despite a broad exploration ofdifferent binders it seemed impossible to make the spray-dried particlestrong enough to survive the pressures of extrusion. Trials wereconducted to extrude green spray-dried alumina-talc, alumina-clay andgraphite (GR) with binder and use them as raw material in ceramicprecursor batches. Material properties in these trials were littlechanged over powder raw material. In these attempts, the spray-driedparticles were used as spray-dried green and broke up into powder orsmall fragments under the shear stresses of screw and extrusion die.

FIG. 1 is a process flow diagram to manufacture a porous ceramic articleaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. The method ofmanufacturing a porous ceramic article 100 may include spray-dryingsingle batch components, partial batch compositions or full batchcompositions 110. To provide mechanical strength to the spray-driedparticles for the batch mixing and extrusion process, the spray-driedpowders are calcined (pre-reacted) at high temperature so that a partialor complete reaction or sintering is induced 120. Pre-reacting in batchfurnaces can be used for calcining, but may require additional millingto break up sintered agglomerates. Rotary calcining, for example, mayavoid agglomeration of the spray-dried particles. Sieving or otherseparation methods can be used to select narrower particle sizefractions.

According to other exemplary embodiments, particles can be made bypre-reacting fine powders with a polymer followed by breaking up of thepolymer, such as by grinding, and calcining (firing) the groundparticles to form pre-reacted particles. Likewise, a slurry may be madeof the fine powders, then compacted to form particles, such as bydrying. The dried particles may then be calcined (fired) to form thepre-reacted particles. Other methods may include spray-drying, spindrying, and atomizing the slurry to form green particles that may thenbe calcined to form the pre-reacted particles.

The green particles may have spheroidal, such as (i) spherical (ii)ellipsoidal, and (iii) toroidal (torus like with or without a centerhole) shapes as shown in a schematic of FIG. 2A. A particle may includefine powders, binders, and additives as described in more detail below.FIG. 2B shows a schematic of the fine powder particles of the greenparticle after calcining to form the pre-reacted particle. In this case,the fine powder particles may have (i) sintered, (ii) partially reacted,or (iii) fully reacted. Depending on the fine powders, calciningtemperature, calcining time, and the like, one or more of thesereactions may take place to form the pre-reacted particle. FIG. 2C is aschematic showing (i) a dense pre-reacted particle, (ii) a porouspre-reacted particle, and (iii) a hollow pre-reacted particle.

The pre-reacted particles are then incorporated in the batch and mixedwith the other batch constituents 130. The batch is extruded 140, dried150, and fired 160 to form the porous ceramic article. In the case ofpre-fired, partially or fully pre-reacted spray-dried materials, firingtemperatures can be lower or durations shorter. For fully pre-reactedspray-dried materials, very short or low temperature firing schedulescan be implemented, for example, when a low firing binder may besintered.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, fine powders andsoluble constituents may be mixed in a slurry with water, and any ofbinder, dispersant, surfactant, and anti-foam agent. The slurry is thensuspended in a carrier gas and atomized at the top of the spray dryer.Parameters such as nozzle size, temperature, pressure, and solid loadingmay be varied. Fine powders, for example, particles of less than 1 μm,or soluble constituents may be used.

Hollow and solid spray-dried particles of different sizes, sizedistribution and compositions may be made by using different settings ofthe spray-dryer and different starting materials according to exemplaryembodiments of the disclosure. Green particles may be dense or containdifferent levels of porosity, ranging from dense over porous to hollow,and also different pore sizes.

According to exemplary embodiments alpha alumina or boehmite may be usedas an alumina source, colloidal silica suspension may be used as asource for silica, fine titania as a source for titania, and finemagnesium oxide as a source for magnesia. Other inorganics, such asstrontium carbonate, calcium carbonate, and lanthanum carbonate may bejet-milled to less than 1 μm particle size and added to the slurry.Lanthanum acetate, boron oxide and other sintering aids may be added inthe form of an aqueous solution to the slurry.

Exemplary embodiments of combinations of inorganic powders spray-driedto form green particles include alumina (fine alpha alumina or boehmite)with 1.5 to 15% silica, alumina with different sinter additives such asB, Mg, Y, Fe, etc., alumina-silica mixtures with different sinteradditives such as B, Mg, La, Y, Fe, etc., titania defining compositions,such as alumina with different levels of silica, alumina/titaniamixtures, aluminum titanate composition, feldspar composition, and fullaluminum titanate (AT) batch compositions (aluminum titanate andfeldspar phases) with complete final AT inorganic composition or with asmall deficiency in alumina or silica or (alumina+silica). Spray-driedfull batch compositions may also contain sintering aids such aslanthanum oxide, ceria, yttria, zirconia, boron oxide, alkali oxides,etc.

Spray-dried powders may be pre-fired at different temperatures fordifferent times, in a regular box or tube furnace in a crucible, sinterbox, or on a setter, or in a rotary calciner according to exemplaryembodiments. Conditions for static firing of alumina/silica-based driedgreen powders include firing top temperatures between 1200° C. and 1600°C. and 1 h to 15 h hold time. Conditions for static firing of fullAT-based composition green powders include temperatures between 1200° C.and 1600° C. At lower reaction temperatures, aluminum titanate may notbe formed; at temperatures greater than 1300° C., aluminum titanate wasformed.

In a static setting, the green powders may sinter together at hightemperature and at long hold times and thus, may be broken apart priorto further use, for example, as a batch constituent. Sieving or lowenergy milling may be used to break the loosely sintered agglomerates.

Rotation of green powders during pre-firing avoids sintering togetherand may provide better preservation of particle shape. An industrialrotary calciner may be used for firing powders. For example, rotarycalcining conditions of alumina/silica-based green particles mayinclude, for example, 1000-1650° C. As another example, rotary calciningconditions of the full batch AT spray-dried particles may include, forexample, 1000-1480° C.

According to exemplary embodiments the pre-reacted powders may be usedas batch material together with other raw materials to match the finalceramic article (e.g., filter, substrate) inorganic composition, forexample AT, AT-based composite, cordierite, cordierite composite,silicon carbide, silicon nitride, or like ceramic article inorganiccompositions. Pore formers, such as graphite, polymer beads, foamingagents, starch and others with particle sizes to match the pre-reactedparticle size, may be added to the batch at levels of 0-50%, forexample, at levels of 5%, 10%, 20%, 25%, 30%, or 40%. To providesatisfactory rheological properties and enable a good extrusion quality,methylcellulose (3-7%) may be added as a binder and a lubricating oilpackage, may be added to form a green ceramic article (green ware).

Batches may be engineered to achieve high porosity and large pore sizein the ceramic article through a random loose packing (low densitypacking) of the pre-reacted (e.g., spray-dried pre-fired) particles inagglomerates, to benefit from engineered reaction path, microstructureand reaction degree of the pre-reacted particles to control firingshrinkage during drying and firing of the green ware to form the ceramicarticle.

According to exemplary embodiments, a method of making a porous ceramichoneycomb may include mixing batch constituents, for example, premixingpowder batch ingredients including pre-reacted particles, pore-former,and binder. These dry ingredients may be combined in a mulling pan andmulled, while batch water is added during mulling until a suitable pastetexture is reached. The paste may then be formed, for example, extrudedor pressed, for example, in a ram extruder or a twin screw extruderthrough a die into a honeycomb structure. The cell geometry of thehoneycomb structure may be, for example, 300 cells per square inch(cpsi) (46.5 cells per square cm) and 14 mil (0.014 inch or 0.0356 cm)wall thickness (300/14), 300/10, 400/14, 600/9, 900/12 or other cellgeometry suitable as a honeycomb filter or substrate after drying andfiring. The formed green ware with different pre-reacted particle batchmaterials may be dried and fired to obtain the porous ceramic honeycomb.

Formed green honeycomb parts may be dried in a microwave oven, airdried, hot air died, RF dried, etc., or subjected to a combination ofdrying methods and times until sufficiently dried to be fired. Firingmay include heating in an appropriate atmosphere at a temperaturesufficient to form the final phases of the porous ceramic honeycomb andsubsequent cooling. For example, firing may occur in an air atmospherein a furnace at heating rates of 120° C./h to the maximum firingtemperature, which may range from 1000° C. to 1650° C., a hold for 1 to30 hours and cool down rate of about 10 to 160° C./hour. Heating mayinclude slow ramp rates during debinding in low oxygen partial pressureduring burnout of pore formers, surfactants, lubricants, additives, andbinders.

FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram of a cross section through a porousceramic article showing a regular porosity microstructure with narrowpore necks and FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram of a cross section througha porous ceramic article showing an inverse porosity microstructure withlarge pore necks according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.In porous ceramic precursor batches a pore former may be included. Poreformers may include graphite, polymer spheres, starches, and the like.During firing, the pore former is burned out leaving a pore in the firedporous ceramic article. During this burnout of the pore former, gasesmay need to escape from the article, while some reactants may be leftbehind as part of the solid matter of the final article. Exothermal andendothermal firing events due to dehydration, burn out and othertransformations may require slow firing to avoid cracking of thearticle.

FIG. 3A demonstrates that regular porosity 200 with narrow necks 208,220 between solid matter 212 may result in high pressure drop, as may beobtained from firing unreacted, fine powders with large fugitive poreformer. The solid matter 212 may be multiphase, multicomponent, andmicrocracked, or a single phase with no microcracks. The pore morphologygenerally resembles the shape and arrangement of a fugitive pore formerthat was burned out during firing of the article. The pore network 200through which gases travel during in-service consists of pores 204 andthe connection between pores. These connections may be referred to aspore necks 208. Fluids, such as exhaust gases, may be cleaned as theytravel through the pore network 200. Pore neck 208 may cause flowrestriction as the fluid flows from pore 204 to pore 216 through thepore neck 208. Small pore necks 208 may lead to a high pressure drop fora porous ceramic article or a honeycomb filter. Large pore necks 220 maylead to a lower pressure drop than small or narrow pore necks 208. Largepore neck 220 connects pore 224 to pore 228 in FIG. 3A. FIGS. 3A and 3Bare schematics of cross sections (two-dimensional) throughthree-dimensional structures such that pores 204, 216, 224, and 228 maybe connected in the pore network 200 even though pores 204 and 216 areshown as spaced apart from pores 224 and 228 by material 212 in thetwo-dimensional cross section schematic.

Inverse porosity with large pore necks between matter as can be obtainedby sintering reacted spherical batch particles (spray-dried pre-firedparticles) in a final firing process with or without a fine, lowtemperature binder is demonstrated in FIG. 3B. Small necks may limitpermeability and gas flow and control the pressure drop. Materials withlarge necks in the pore structure produce improved permeability and thusprovide low pressure drop filters. FIG. 3B illustrates a cross sectionof an inverse pore network 230 microstructure. Pre-reacted particlesform a sinter-bonded or reaction-bonded porous ceramic article. Matter212 may include shapes generally resembling spheroidal, pre-reactedparticles such as shape 234 joined to shape 246 at matter neck 238. Inan inverse porosity morphology, the matter 212 appears in across-sectional two-dimensional (2D) view as islands surrounded byirregularly shaped pores in contrast to the morphology of FIG. 3A. Inthe normal porosity morphology, the pores 204, 216 and 224, 228 appearin a 2D cross sectional view as islands surrounded by irregularly shapedmatter as shown in FIG. 3A.

The pore neck 242 of FIG. 3B between matter islands 212 may be largerthan pore necks 208 and 220 of FIG. 3A. The matter can be considered tohave matter neck 238 and matter neck 250 where solid shape 254 joinssolid shape 258. FIG. 3B is a schematic of a cross section(two-dimensional) through a three-dimensional structure such that solidshapes 234, 246, 254, and 258 may be connected even though solid shapes234 and 246 are shown in the 2D scheme as spaced apart from solid shapes254 and 258 by pore network 230 in the two-dimensional cross sectionschematic. While the 2D projection of the pore structure 230 is shown ascompletely surrounding matter islands 212, this has been done forclarity of explanation of inverse porosity and the pore structure 230.In three-dimensional (3D) structures, for example, in 3D real porenetwork structures of Examples described below, the pore structure 230does not completely surround the matter 212. In the inverse porestructures of embodiments of the materials, as will be seen in thefollowing Examples, the inverse porosity microstructure is characterizedin more contiguous pores than normal porosity and an inverse pore shapecompared to normal porosity.

According to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, a porous ceramicarticle having an inverse pore structure achieves higher permeabilitythan a similar composition made from non pre-reacted particles. Forexample, the porous ceramic article may have a permeability greater than1000 and a porosity greater than 50%. For example, the porosity may begreater than 57%, or even greater than 60%. The porous ceramic articlemay have a median pore size (d50) greater than 10 μm, for example, amedian pore size greater than 15 μm, or even greater than 18 μm. Theporous ceramic article may have a coefficient of thermal expansion fromroom temperature (RT) to 800° C. less than 20×10⁻⁷K⁻¹, for example, lessthan 15×10⁻⁷K⁻¹, or even less than 10×10⁻⁷K⁻¹. Furthermore, a (300/14)honey comb body of the porous ceramic article may have a modulus ofrupture (MOR) flexural strength greater than 170 psi, for example,greater than 200 psi.

According to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, a porous ceramicarticle having a regular (non-inverse) pore structure achieves higherpermeability than a similar composition made from non pre-reactedparticles. For example, the porous ceramic article may have apermeability greater than 1000 and a porosity greater than 50%. Forexample, the porosity may be greater than 57%, or even greater than 60%.The porous ceramic article may have a median pore size (d50) greaterthan 10 μm, for example, a median pore size greater than 15 μm, or evengreater than 18 μm. The porous ceramic article may have a coefficient ofthermal expansion from room temperature (RT) to 800° C. less than20×10⁻⁷K⁻¹, for example, less than 15×10⁻⁷K⁻¹, or even less than10×10⁻⁷K⁻¹. Furthermore, a (300/14) honey comb body of the porousceramic article may have a modulus of rupture (MOR) flexural strengthgreater than 170 psi, for example, greater than 200 psi.

EXAMPLES

To enhance understanding of the disclosure with respect to certainexemplary and specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrative onlyand not intended to be limiting, the following illustrative Examples areput forth and are intended to provide a complete disclosure anddescription of how the articles and methods claimed herein can be madeand evaluated. They are intended to be purely exemplary and are notintended to limit the scope of what the inventors regard as theirinvention as claimed.

Table 1 lists the ingredients used for making green particles. Table 2summarizes examples of hollow alumina-silica green particles obtainedfrom boehmite—3% silica slurries designated as A1, A2, and A3, inTable 1. Spray drying parameters, such as solid loading, surfactantaddition, viscosity, nozzle size in mm, temperature in ° C., pressure,and inlet and outlet pressure in atmospheres, are listed in Table 2. Theobtained green particles are separated into a coarse and a fine particlesize fraction and are characterized by parameters such as the ratio ofcoarse over fine particle fraction, the average diameter of the coarseparticle fraction, the average diameter of the fine particle fractionand the breadth of the particle fractions. In addition, the fraction ofhollow particles as determined by SEM is indicated. Table 2 also showsthe resulting pre-reacted particle average diameter of the spray-driedcoarse particle fraction after firing to 1300° C.

TABLE 1 Example No. Raw Materials Wt % A1 SiO₂ 3.285 g  water 230 galumina 100 g additional binder, surfactant, dispersant  1 g A2 SiO₂3.285 g  water 400 g alumina 100 g additional binder, surfactant,dispersant  1 g A3 SiO₂ 3.285 g  water 580 g alumina 100 g additionalbinder, surfactant, dispersant  1 g

In Table 1, Ludox AS® was used as the SiO₂ (colloidal silica in water),a fine alumina powder was used, and Tritan x-100® was used as theorganic additive. In Table 2, the nozzle size was 1.5 mm.

TABLE 2 % hollow Coarse Coarse Fines Fine spheres Viscosity Inlet OutletRatio green spread green spread Example from RPM200 pressure Flow T Tcoarse/ d50 (d90-d10) d50 (d90-d10) No. Comp SEM TS (cp) (atm) (%) (°C.) (° C.) fine μm μm μm μm 1 A1 >90 30 0.31 1.5 65 360 120 0.66 27.1 408.01 15.89 2 A1 50 30 0.31 1.5 65 300 120 0.41 29.39 46 9.09 17.78 3 A150 30 0.31 0.5 65 360 90 3.16 46.31 91 14.88 28.74 4 A2 75 25 0.83 1.565 360 120 0.41 21.23 28 7.89 13.95 5 A2 85 25 0.83 1.5 65 360 110 0.5122 29 6 A2 60 25 0.83 1.5 65 360 100 0.49 23.94 32 7 A2 59 25 0.83 1 57360 100 0.80 27.39 45 8 A2 65 25 0.83 0.5 44 360 100 1.88 33.38 56 9 A250 25 0.83 1.5 67 360 80 1.27 43.07 150 10 A2 73 25 0.83 0.5 44 360 902.54 44.56 192 11 A2 50 25 0.83 0.5 44 360 80 4.32 48.66 125 12 A2 73 250.83 0.5 44 360 80 3.60 53.05 131 13 A3 >90 15 0.51 1.5 65 300 120 0.1218.06 19 6.4 10.07 14 A3 >90 15 0.51 1.5 65 360 120 0.28 19.98 26 7.1812.05 15 A3 50 15 0.51 0.5 65 360 90 1.87 44.33 98 12.87 24.53

The effect of various parameters on the spray-dried particle sizedistribution will be described with reference to FIGS. 4-8 and Table 3.According to these results, green particle processing settings can bedetermined for the optimum engineered batch raw materials and optimumporous ceramic article properties.

FIG. 4 is a graphical plot of the green particle size with distributionsobtained by spray-drying with different solid loading (TS) according toan exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 4 illustrates fine (F)and coarse (C) green particle size distributions obtained with solidloadings of 15, 25, and 30% of compositions A1, A2, and A3 (Table 1).The spray dryer settings were 1.5 atm pressure, inlet temperature 300°C., outlet temperature 120° C. and 65% atm. FIG. 4 shows that thedistribution and average particle size d50 decrease with decrease insolid loading TS. The demonstrated changes are related to thecomposition rheology, which is shown to be influenced by the solidloading. Lower solid loading produces a narrower particle sizedistribution.

FIG. 5 is a graphical plot of the evolution of green particle sizedistribution obtained by spray-drying at fixed solid loading (30% TS ofboehmite/3% silica from Ludox®) at different outlet temperaturesaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 5 showsresults for outlet temperatures of 90° C. and 120° C. The outlettemperature has a strong impact on the spray-dried particle sizedistribution. At lower outlet temperature, a broad particle sizedistribution is obtained with large average particle size. The higheroutlet temperature provides a narrower particle size distribution and asmaller average particle size.

FIG. 6 is a scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrograph of a polishedcross section of pre-reacted particles with alumina-based composition,after firing at 1670° C. for 120 h, showing a significant fraction ofhollow particles according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

Solid pre-reacted particles with different sizes and compositions weremade by spray-drying and pre-reacting for use as batch materials. Table3 summarizes examples of processing solid green particles ofalumina-silica composition by spray-drying. In the Examples, aluminawith 3% silica slurry compositions and the listed spray-dryingparameters (solid loading, viscosity, temperature, pressure, and inletand outlet pressure) are presented. A nozzle diameter of 1.5 mm was usedfor all Examples in Table 3 except for the compositions of Samples 26-28that used a 1.0 mm nozzle. A 1% surfactant (Tritan x-100®) was used inall Examples of Table 3. The achieved green particle size distributionsare characterized by parameters such as the ratio of coarse over fineparticles, the average diameter of the coarse particle fraction, theaverage diameter of the fine particle fraction and the breadth of thefine particle fraction. In addition, the fraction of solid particles asdetermined by SEM is indicated when differing from 100%. The resultsindicate that more hollow particles are obtained at 40% solid loadingthan at lower solid loading. The spray-dried coarse particle fractionhas been fired to 1300° C.; Table 3 also lists the average diameter ofthe pre-reacted particles.

TABLE 3 Coarse Coarse Fines Coarse Viscosity Inlet Outlet Ratio greenspread green 1300° C. Example % % RPM200 Pressure Flow T T coarse/ d50(d90-d10) d50 d50 No. hollow TS (cp) (atm) (%) (° C.) (° C.) fine μm μmμm μm 16 65 40 2 70 280 94 3.96 31.2 61 29.96 17 62 40 1.5 65 300 952.49 32.98 63 6.53 30.13 18 70 40 1.5 65 280 94 2.13 33.28 86 31.64 1960 40 2 80 300 95 1.67 30.71 57 5.55 32.62 20 30 1.52 2 80 300 120 0.4418.07 22 4.82 17.53 21 30 1.52 1.5 65 300 95 0.91 22.04 26 5.96 20.71 2230 1.52 1 57 300 120 0.78 21.95 26 6.53 21.01 23 20 0.61 2 80 300 1200.23 18.47 23 4.4 17.45 24 20 0.61 1 57 300 120 0.58 20.6 24 6.79 19.0325 20 0.61 1.5 65 300 95 0.81 22.56 29 5.86 21.25 26 30 2 80 300 1200.29 14.84 18 4.78 14.26 27 30 1.5 65 300 95 0.89 21.69 27 6.87 20.65 2830 1 57 300 120 1.03 23.64 33 7.96 22.29

The impact of the spray-drying parameters on green particle sizedistribution is illustrated graphically in FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a graphicalplot of green particle size distribution obtained by spray-dryingdifferent solid loading (TS) of fine alumina/3% silica from Ludox®showing that a broad particle size distribution is obtained at 40% solidloading according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 8is a graphical plot of the green particle size distribution obtained byspray-drying fixed solid loading (30% TS of fine alumina/3% silica fromLudox®) with different spray-dryer outlet temperature, here 90° C. or120° C., according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. Thehigher outlet temperature of 120° C. at 2 atm pressure produces thenarrowest green particle size distribution with smallest average greenparticle size.

Many Examples of green particle compositions were made by spray-dryingand are presented in Table 4. Exemplary embodiments of combinations ofspray-dried batch constituents include fine alpha alumina or boehmitewith 1.5 to 15% silica, alumina with sinter additives such as oxides ofB, Mg, Y, Fe, etc., alumina/silica with different sinter additives B-,Mg-, La-, Y-, Fe-oxide, etc., titania with various levels of silica, andfeldspar-based compositions. Aluminum titanate—feldspar compositecompositions (full AT batch of inorganics), a small deficiency inalumina or silica or (alumina+silica) from full AT batch, and somespray-dried full batch compositions containing sintering aids such aslanthanum oxide, according to exemplary embodiments, were also made.

TABLE 4 Raw materials Example Nos. (wt %) 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 40%silica 3.10 2.17 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 solution in water fine alumina29.75 15.06 28.08 14.70 14.65 15.38 45.31 hydrated alumina 0.00 0.000.00 0.00 0.00 1.22 3.60 fine titania 0.52 10.49 0.00 10.24 10.22 9.8929.13 fine silica 0.00 3.57 0.00 3.48 3.47 3.37 9.92 micro-crystallinesilica 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 calcium carbonate 0.00 0.480.00 0.47 0.48 0.45 1.34 magnesium-hydroxide 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.000.00 0.00 strontium carbonate 0.00 0.00 0.00 2.74 2.72 2.64 7.78strontium acetate 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Sr-carbonate + 0.000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Ca-carbonate = 5.5:1 lanthanum oxide 0.000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 lanthanum acetate 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.000.00 0.00 additive 0.00 0.35 0.29 0.00 0.34 0.33 0.97 antifoam 0.00 0.000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 B₂O₃ 0.62 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.66 1.95 water66.01 70.05 69.46 68.37 68.12 66.05 0.00 Raw materials Example Nos. (wt%) 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 40% silica 0.00 12.20 12.13 12.10 0.00 0.000.00 0.00 solution in water fine alumina 13.76 22.30 22.18 22.12 13.6713.62 13.75 13.62 hydrated alumina 1.26 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.25 1.24 1.251.24 fine titania 10.16 0.00 0.00 0.00 10.09 10.06 10.15 10.05 finesilica 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 micro-crystalline silica3.45 0.00 0.00 0.00 3.44 3.43 3.45 3.42 calcium carbonate 0.47 0.00 0.000.00 0.46 0.46 0.47 0.46 magnesium-hydroxide 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.27 0.000.34 0.00 0.00 strontium carbonate 2.71 0.00 0.00 0.00 2.70 2.69 2.710.00 strontium acetate 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 3.74Sr-carbonate + 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Ca-carbonate =5.5:1 lanthanum oxide 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.17 0.00 lanthanumacetate 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 additive 0.34 0.27 0.270.27 0.34 0.34 0.34 0.34 antifoam 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.000.00 B₂O₃ 0.00 0.00 0.54 0.54 0.67 0.67 0.00 0.00 water 67.84 65.2364.88 64.70 67.39 67.16 67.80 67.13 Raw materials Example Nos. (wt %) 4445 46 47 48 49 50 51 40% silica 8.79 8.90 4.35 7.23 7.22 9.90 10.73 9.87solution in water fine alumina 13.99 16.28 27.25 26.01 25.98 17.83 19.3318.04 hydrated alumina 1.28 1.30 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.44 1.57 1.44 finetitania 10.32 10.47 0.00 0.00 0.00 11.63 12.61 11.60 fine silica 0.000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 micro-crystalline silica 0.00 0.000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 calcium carbonate 0.47 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.000.00 0.00 0.00 magnesium-hydroxide 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.000.00 strontium carbonate 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00strontium acetate 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Sr-carbonate +0.00 3.28 0.00 0.00 0.00 3.64 3.95 3.63 Ca-carbonate = 5.5:1 lanthanumoxide 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 lanthanum acetate 0.000.00 0.00 0.00 0.12 0.00 0.00 0.00 additive 0.34 0.35 0.29 0.29 0.290.39 0.42 0.39 antifoam 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.78 0.84 0.78 B₂O₃0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 water 64.81 59.42 68.12 66.4766.40 54.38 50.54 54.25 Raw materials Example Nos. (wt %) 52 53 54 55 5657 58 59 40% silica 4.79 12.86 12.82 11.51 14.07 13.62 4.82 8.35solution in water fine alumina 29.99 23.51 23.43 41.44 22.40 24.89 30.190.00 hydrated alumina 0.13 1.88 3.53 0.00 2.05 1.98 0.00 2.96 finetitania 0.00 15.12 15.07 0.00 16.54 16.01 0.00 23.86 fine silica 0.000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 micro-crystalline silica 0.00 0.000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 calcium carbonate 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.000.00 0.00 0.00 magnesium-hydroxide 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.000.00 strontium carbonate 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00strontium acetate 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Sr-carbonate +0.33 4.74 8.92 0.00 5.18 5.02 0.00 7.48 Ca-carbonate = 5.5:1 lanthanumoxide 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.09 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 lanthanum acetate 0.000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.13 0.00 additive 0.32 0.50 0.00 0.00 0.000.00 0.00 0.00 antifoam 0.64 1.01 1.01 0.92 1.11 1.07 0.64 1.59 B₂O₃0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 water 63.81 40.38 35.22 46.0438.65 37.42 64.23 55.77

Different binders, dispersants, surfactants and other organic additivesmay be added to the inorganic spray-drying batch. Table 5 showscompositions having additions of Triton™ X100 (SIGMA-ALDRICH®), Duramax™D-3005 (THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY®), an ammonium salt of apolyelectrolyte, or Darvan-C® (R.T. VANDERBILT COMPANY, INC.), anammonium polymethylacrylate, at levels of 1-5% to the 97% alumina/3%silica inorganic batch mixtures. In some cases, antifoaming agent(Antifoam A) was added together with Triton to avoid foaming. Spraydryer settings of 1.5 atm pressure, 65% flow, inlet temperature 300° C.,outlet temperature 120° C. and a 1.5 mm tip were used. Spray-drying ofcompositions with the different levels of Darvan or Duramax and withsmall additions of Triton produced a similar spray-dried median particlesize under the same spraying conditions. Smaller particle size wasproduced for higher Triton/Antifoam-A levels, due to a promotedagglomeration and formation of small particles in presence of theantifoaming agent as shown in FIG. 9. While spray-dried particle sizeswere very similar for different Duramax and Darvan levels, the shape ofthe particles differed significantly. Spray-dried particles obtained byspraying alumina/3% silica with various levels of Darvan 0%, 1%, 2%, 3%,4%, and 5% (FIG. 10, upper left to lower center) resulted in particleswith smooth surfaces, but irregular torus shape. For increasing Darvanfraction, additional fine particles, more irregular shape andagglomeration of fine particles to the powder were observed so that 1%Darvan addition seemed to be a preferred level. Spray-dried particlesobtained by spraying alumina/3% silica with various levels of Duramax of0%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, and 5% resulted in particles with spherical shapewith smooth surfaces at low Duramax level and increasingly rough, poroussurfaces at higher Duramax level (FIG. 11, upper left to lower center).No agglomeration or other disadvantage was observed for high Duramaxlevel, so that the 5% addition is considered as a preferredconfiguration.

Duramax levels of 3-5% to the spray-dried alumina-based batch providedpreferred particle size, shape and surface texture. The surfactantTriton may produce fine porosity in the spray-dried particles; however,no fine porosity was observed. Darvan is a dispersant that may be usedin many types of ceramic slurries. No advantage in phase distributionwas observed in the spray-dried particles by the addition of Darvan. Athigh concentration, Duramax acts as a dispersant and binder; it mayintroduce porosity in the spray-dried particles. These examples ofbinders, dispersants and surfactants are not intended to be a completelist. One of ordinary skill in the art would know that other organicbinders, dispersants, and surfactants, such as carboxymethylcellulose,acrylic binders, polyethylene glycol (PEG), or polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)may be used for the same purpose.

TABLE 5 Alumina A1000 Silica Ludox Antifoam: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6% AluminaA1000 Silica Ludox Triton 1% + Antifoam: 0, 1, 2, 3% Triton 2% + noAntifoam Alumina A1000 Silica Ludox Darvan: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5% AluminaA1000 Silica Ludox Duramax: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5%

Green spray-dried particles in the batch did not survive mixing andextrusion shear forces independent of composition and type of organicaddition. This was clearly demonstrated by examining microstructure andporosity of extruded and fired parts. Porosity and median pore size ofmaterials made with green spray-dried particles or charred spray-driedpowders did not reach the porosity and pore size of standard materialsthat were made with commercial coarse alumina, see Table 6.

TABLE 6 Organics added Properties of extruded, fired ware for makingMedian pore CTE in 10⁻⁷ K⁻¹ Example green spray- pretreatment of greenPorosity of diameter in from RT to No. dried particles spray-driedparticles fired ware in % fired ware in μm 1000 K 60 no no 47.74 9.40 61no Pre-fired to 1300° C. 54.44 22.44 18.3 62 no Charred 43.64 8.66 63 1%Darvan no 43.07 9.50 64 1% Darvan Pre-fired to 1300° C. 46.42 16.72 2165 1% Darvan Charred 42.64 9.41 66 5% Darvan no 41.77 12.65 67 5% DarvanPre-fired to 1300° C. 53.05 21.38 68 5% Darvan Charred 41.03 12.25 69 1%Duramax no 42.95 8.41 70 1% Duramax Pre-fired to 1300° C. 48.43 19.93 1571 1% Duramax Charred 44.66 8.46 72 5% Duramax no 38.04 4.38 14 73 5%Duramax Pre-fired to 1300° C. 58.47 22.72 13 74 5% Duramax Charred 33.816.97 13 75 1% Triton + no 46.01 10.53 Antifoam 76 1% Triton + Pre-firedto 1300° C. 40.39 7.76 Antifoam 77 1% Triton + Charred 43.78 10.52Antifoam

Aluminum titanate type batches with spray-dried alumina/3%silica/organic binder batch materials (97% alumina (A1000), 3% silica(Ludox) as inorganics and superaddition of surfactant) together withporosity and pore size for extruded, fired material (1410° C., 15 h) areshown in Table 6. Green, charred, or pre-fired spray-dried powders wereused; spray-dried powders were made without any binder, with Triton andAntifoam, Darvan, or Duramax. The spray-dried particles were added in abatch with batch composition silica—8.78%, strontium carbonate—8.1%,calcium carbonate—1.4%, titanium dioxide—30.32%, spray-dried particles(green, charred or pre-fired)—51.2%, lanthanum oxide—0.2%, superadditionof potato starch (PS)—15%, superaddition of Methocel—4.5%. The Exampleswere subjected to twin-screw type mixing and 1 inch (2.54 cm) ramextrusion. Firing condition was 1410° C./15 hrs.

Example spray-dried powders were pre-fired to improve their mechanicalstrength so that they would survive extrusion. Pre-firing conditionswere varied and covered temperatures from 1000° C. to 1600° C. anddifferent durations from fractions of an hour (in an industrial rotarycalciner) to many hours, so that the particles were not reacted,partially reacted, or fully reacted and correspondingly not densified,partially densified, or fully densified. Particle size and shape werelargely preserved during pre-firing. FIG. 12A shows an exemplaryspray-dried powder of alumina/3% silica composition as spray-dried(left) and after firing (right). FIG. 12B shows the green and firedparticle size distributions of the exemplary spray-dried powder of FIG.12A. FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate that the green particle size and sizedistribution are well preserved through firing. Tables 7, 8, and 9 showcalcined particle average size and phase composition after firing forexemplary green spray-dried powders. The exemplary powders in Table 7and 8 were fired in CMR box furnaces, except where indicated, in air atthe indicated temperature. Table 7 presents characteristics ofpre-reacted alumina/silica particles. Table 8 presents characteristicsof pre-reacted full aluminum titanate-feldspar batch particles. Theexemplary powders in Table 9 were fired in an industrial size rotarycalciner at 1440° C. Table 9 presents characteristics of pre-reactedfull aluminum titanate-feldspar batch particles. FIG. 17A shows agraphical comparison of pore size distribution in Examples of porousceramic articles having spray-dried alumina/3% silica with 5% Duramaxusing green, charred, or pre-fired to 1300° C. spray-dried particles.FIG. 17B shows a graphical comparison of pore size distribution inExamples of porous ceramic articles having pre-fired to 1300° C.spray-dried alumina/3% silica with addition of surfactants.

TABLE 7 Pre- Calcined particle Calcined particle Green alumina/silicaparticles reacting diameter from diameter from Pre-reacted particleGreen particle Silica Others in Temp. in Particle Track SEM analysiscomposition vol % Example No. in wt % wt % ° C. analysis D in μm D in μmAl₂O₃ cristobalite mullite 78 3 0.03% Ga₂O₃ 1300 79 3 1600 80 3 161019.5 19.3 81 3 1610 15.4 15.8 82 3 1610 18.5 18.8 87.8 12.2 83 6 141020.4 94 4 84 6 1610 16.4 75.2 24.8 85 10 1410 22.4 20.0 86 10 1610 20.719.5 55 45 87 18 1410 16.1 13.8 88 18 1610 15.7 15.1 70.2 11.7 18.1 8918 1610 25.4 25.2 30.4 69.6 90 10 0.4% La₂O₃ 1410 22.1 18.9 91 10 0.4%La₂O₃ 1390 23.6 21.8 92 10 0.4% La₂O_(3;) 1410 19.2 18.7 2% Antifoam 936 1440 16.9 16.7 (rotary) 94 6 1500 16.1 15.2 (rotary)

TABLE 8 Green “full batch” Calcined particle AT-SAS particles diameterfrom Calcined particle Green particle Deviations on full Pre-reactingParticle Track diameter from SEM Example No. batch composition Temp. in° C. analysis D in μm analysis D in μm 95 -6% alumina 1200 30.7 96 -6%alumina 1200 97 -6% alumina 1300 98 -6% alumina 1410 42 25.8 99 -6%alumina 1410 42.4 100 -6% alumina 1410 47.2 101 -6% alumina 1410 28.3102 -6% alumina 1200 24.8 20.0 103 -6% alumina 1300 27.0 21.4 104 -6%alumina 1200 11.1 41.0 105 -6% alumina 1200 25.3 27.1 106 -6% alumina1300 28.4 107 -6% alumina 1410 108 -6% alumina 1200 25.3 23.0 Green“full batch” AT-SAS particles Pre-reacted particle composition vol %Green particle Deviations on full Aluminum Example No. batch compositiontitanate Al₂O₃ rutile feldspar mullite SrTi₃Al₈O₁₉ quartz 95 -6% alumina96 -6% alumina 97 -6% alumina 44.3 6.2 4.8 15.8 28.9 98 -6% alumina 24.115.2 12.4 17.6 30.7 99 -6% alumina 63.2 1.1 2 30.3 3.5 100 -6% alumina30.7 6.7 15.1 26.8 16.7 4.5 101 -6% alumina 102 -6% alumina 103 -6%alumina 104 -6% alumina 105 -6% alumina 106 -6% alumina 1.9 29.6 27.513.5 6.9 19.1 1.5 107 -6% alumina 11.4 22.8 20 15.9 29.9 108 -6% alumina9.4 30.1 27.4 27.6 5.6

TABLE 9 spray-dried green spray-dried rotary calcining calcined particleExample rotary calcined particle average temperature average diameter ATAl₂O₃ TiO₂ SAS No. particles diameter (μm) (° C.) (μm) vol % vol % vol %vol % 109 Full AT batch 43 1440 45 70.6 7.5 1.4 20.5 110 Full AT batch51 1440 49 70.6 7.6 1.3 20.5 (milled)

SEM images in FIGS. 13A-C, 14A-C, and 15A-B illustrate characteristicspray-dried particle shape and phase distribution for variouscompositions. FIGS. 13A, 13B, and 13C are a series of SEM micrographs ofspray-dried particles including alumina (boehmite) with 17% silica(Ludox®), after firing to 1410° C. (FIG. 13A), 1610° C. with short holdtime (FIG. 13B) and 1610° C. with long hold time (FIG. 13C) according toan exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. Pores 1201, 1203 are evidentin the particles as are a first phase 1205 and a second phase 1207. Pore1203 is a large pore compared to pore 1201. The particles increase indensification from FIG. 13A to FIG. 13C.

FIGS. 14A and 14B are SEM micrographs of pre-fired, spray-driedparticles with full inorganic AT (aluminum titanate+feldspar) batchcomposition after pre-firing at 1200° C. according to an exemplaryembodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 14A is a regular surface view of theparticles and FIG. 14B is a cross section of the particles. FIGS. 14Cand 14D are regular surface and cross sectional SEM micrographs ofpre-fired, spray-dried particles having the same composition as in FIGS.14A and 14B after pre-firing at 1300° C. according to an exemplaryembodiment of the disclosure.

FIGS. 15A and 15B are SEM micrographs of Example No. 34 spray-driedpowder with 0.7% boron oxide addition after rotary calcining at 1100°C., regular view (FIG. 15A) and polished cross section (FIG. 15B)according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

The phases present in the fired ceramic parts were identified by X-raydiffraction (XRD). A Philips PW1830® diffractometer (Co Ka radiation)was used for X-ray diffraction. Spectra were typically acquired from 20to 100°. Rietveld refinement was used for quantification of the phasecontributions.

Standard scanning electron microscopy, SEM, characterization wasconducted on green and fired spray-dried particles and their polishedcross-sections, on honeycomb wall surfaces and polished honeycomb wallcross sections. For the observation of polished sections, the fired warewas infiltrated with epoxy, sliced and polished. The spatialdistribution of porosity and phases in presence at a microscopic levelwas visualized on polished sample cross sections. High resolution SEMwas used to assess details of the microstructure and the phasedistribution. Chemical composition of the different phases and elementaldistributions were obtained from (qualitative) analysis and elementalmapping by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy on the SEM.

Porosity, median pore diameter and pore size distribution weredetermined by mercury intrusion porosimetry from an Autopore™ IV 9500porosimeter with software from Micromeritics®. The mercury intrusionporosimetry method uses the capillary law with non-wetting liquid andcylindrical pores as may be expressed with the Washburn equationD=(1/P)4y Cos Φ, where D is the pore diameter, P is the appliedpressure, y is the surface tension and Φ is the contact angle. Thevolume of mercury is directly proportional to the pressure. Datareduction used the differential and log differential to calculate thefirst derivative of the cumulative specific intrusion volume as afunction of calculated log diameter. Mercury porosimetry was used tocalculate the permeability. Permeability is the gas flow rate through amaterial under applied pressure. In the Autopore device, pressure isincreased and the mercury fills smaller and smaller pores until acritical pressure is reached where the mercury spans the sample, as maybe expressed as k [in millidarcys]= 1/226 (Lc)2 σ/σ_(o), where Γ is theconductivity at length Lc and σ_(o) is the conductance in the pore. Themercury porosity data can further be used to deduce a tortuosity. Thetortuosity factor characterizes the efficiency of gas interaction withthe surface during its transport through a porous medium. Tortuosity isstrongly dependent on the pore interconnectity. The gas interaction withthe material internal surface is greater the larger the tortuosityfactor is. J. Hager derived an expression for material permeabilitybased on a capillary bundle model in which pores are homogeneouslydistributed in random directions. Using the Hagen-Poiseuille correlationfor fluid flow in cylindrical geometries, and making substitutions withmeasurable parameters, and combining with Darcy's law, an expression canbe derived for material permeability in terms of total pore volume,material density, pore volume distribution by pore size, and materialtortuosity. The total pore volume, material density, and pore volumedistribution by pore size are obtainable from mercury porosimetry tests.Katz and Thompson also derived an expression for material permeabilitybased on measurements obtainable from mercury porosimetry and which doesnot depend on knowledge of material tortuosity. Combining the Hager andKatz-Thompson expressions provides a means for determining tortuosityfrom data collected by mercury porosimetry.

Thermal expansion was measured for bar-shaped samples with dimension0.25″×0.25″×2″ (0.623×0.623×5.08 cm) during heating from roomtemperature to 1200° C. at a rate of 4° C./min and subsequent cooling toroom temperature. Unless otherwise noted herein, the longitudinal axisof the test bars was oriented in the direction of the honeycombchannels, thus providing the thermal expansion in the axial direction ofthe honeycomb parts. Unless otherwise noted herein, room temperature asstated herein refers to 25° C. Average thermal expansion coefficientsfor various temperature ranges are listed in the tables and in the textare CTE20-800 in K⁻¹, the average thermal expansion coefficient fromroom temperature to 800° C., defined as L(800° C.)−L(20° C.)/780° C. asaverage thermal expansion coefficient in the temperature range from roomtemperature to 800° C., CTE20-1000 in K⁻¹, the average thermal expansioncoefficient from room temperature to 1000° C., defined as L(1000°C.)−L(20° C.)/980° C. as average thermal expansion coefficient in thetemperature range from room temperature to 1000° C., CTE500-900 in K⁻¹,the average thermal expansion coefficient from 500 to 900° C., definedas L(900° C.)-L(500° C.)/400° C. as average thermal expansioncoefficient in the temperature range from 500° C. to 800° C.

The strength of the ceramics was tested using a transverse bendingtechnique where test specimens were loaded to failure in using eitherthree or four bending points. The maximum stress prior to failure isoften referred to as the modulus of rupture or MOR. MOR, measured usingfour point flexure with a lower span (L) of two inches (fifty and fourfifths millimeter) and an upper span (U) of three quarters of an inch(nineteen millimeters). The specimen geometry for the 4-point flexuretests was two and one half inches (sixty three and one half millimeters)in length, one half inch (twelve and seven tenths millimeters) in width(b) and one quarter inch (six and two fifths millimeters) thick (d). Theforce-measuring system used was equipped with a read-out of the maximumforce (P) and a calibrated load cell. The MOR value was calculated usingthe ASTM flexure strength equation for a rectangular specimen. Allspecimens tested had a square cellular (honeycomb) structure with thechannels in the direction of the length of the honeycomb. The actualmaterial strength independent of the structure of the body, oftenreferred to as the wall strength, was determined by modifying thetraditional MOR equation to account for the cellular structure of thehoneycomb test bar, using ASTM standard C1674-08.

Bar-shaped samples with dimension 5″×1″×0.5″ (12.7×2.54×1.27 cm) and thelongitudinal axis being oriented in the direction of the honeycombchannels were used to measure the elastic modulus by flexural resonancefrequency. Samples were heated to 1200° C. and cooled back to roomtemperature. For each temperature the elastic modulus was directlyderived from the resonance frequency and normalized for sample geometryand weight per ASTM C 1198-01.

Referring back to Table 6, materials made from spray-dried batch powdersthat were obtained with various levels of different dispersants,surfactants and binders are shown. The AT batch included 8.78% silica,8.1% strontium carbonate, 1.4% calcium carbonate, 30.32% titaniumdioxide, 51.2% of the spray-dried green compositions of Table 6(alumina/silica), 0.2% lanthanum oxide, 15% superaddition potato starch,4.5% superaddition methocel. The spray-dried powders were incorporatedin the batch as green (as-spray-dried), charred, or pre-reacted powders.Table 6 compares porosities of fired extruded (300/13) materials madefrom batches with commercial raw materials, green spray-dried particles,charred spray-dried particles and pre-fired spray-dried particles. Abatch with AT-type inorganic composition and pore former package wasused, in which alumina and a small fraction of silica were replaced byspray-dried batch powder of same composition. Batch additions are listedin Table 6 together with the resulting porosity of the extruded firedmaterial. The batch was subjected to twin-screw type mixing and 1″ (2.54cm) ram extruded. The dried extruded articles were fired at 1410° C./15hr.

The spray-dried powders were either not pretreated (green), charred innitrogen to 500° C., or pre-reacted by firing in air for 5 h at 1300° C.A standard AT batch Comparative Example with commercial particulatealumina A10 with 10 μm median particle size extruded and fired under thesame conditions produced about 50% porosity and 15 μm pore size.

Mercury intrusion porosimetry showed that green, unfired spray-driedpowders (without any surfactant addition) produced slightly lowerporosity (48%) with significant smaller median pore size, d50=9 μm thanthe Comparative Example. Charring the spray-dried particle in nitrogento 500° C. promoted further loss in porosity with a resulting 43%porosity, 9 μm pore size. In contrast, for the pre-fired spray-driedparticles, the porosity was increased to 54.4% with median pore size of22 μm. The gain compared to use of commercial coarse alumina rawmaterial was a 4-5% increase in porosity and 6-7 μm increase in poresize.

Materials obtained from green or charred spray-dried batch materialswith various organic additions (Darvan, Duramax, Triton) showed littlechange in porosity, indicating that green and charred spray-driedparticles do not survive the shear during twin screw-like mixing andextrusion. Use of spray-dried, pre-fired particles containing Darvan orDuramax yielded a significant increase in porosity and pore size. Both,porosity and pore size increased with the amount of Darvan or Duramax inthe slurry. For 5% addition, 53% and 58% porosity, 21 μm and 23 μmmedian pore size were obtained with 5% Darvan and Duramax, respectively.This is a significant gain in porosity (3% and 8%, respectively) and asignificant gain in median pore size (5 and 7 μm, respectively). It maybe very difficult to obtain such high porosity and large pore size withcommercial raw materials at such low pore former level.

FIGS. 16A, 16B, and 16C SEM images of the extruded green ware revealedthat few spray-dried green and charred particles survived the mixing andextrusion, while spray-dried particles pre-fired to higher temperaturesurvived mixing and extrusion. AT-type extruded greenware, in whichalumina and a small fraction of silica had been replaced by spray-driedpowders of alumina/3% silica/organic binder are shown in FIGS. 16A, 16B,and 16C. The spray-dried particles had been incorporated into the batchgreen as spray-dried (FIG. 16A), pre-fired at 1300° C. for 5 h in air(FIG. 16B), or charred to 500° C. in nitrogen (FIG. 16C). Spray-driedpowders were obtained without any addition (first row), with addition of5% Darvan (second row), with addition of 5% Duramax (third row) oraddition of 1% Triton (last row). The SEM images show polished crosssections of the green ware. The SEM images of FIG. 16B show that thepre-fired spray-dried particles were all fully preserved and regularlydistributed in the greenware.

FIG. 16D shows an SEM image at higher magnification of FIG. 16B (firstrow) made without any addition, FIG. 16E shows a SEM image at highermagnification of FIG. 16B (second row) with addition of 5% Darvan, andFIG. 16F shows an SEM image of FIG. 16B (third row) with addition of 5%Duramax. The SEM images at higher magnification in FIG. 16D illustratesfor the organic-free particles that they preserved a spherical shape andhad suffered no fracture. Cross sections of the materials containingDarvan and Duramax show some distortion of the spray-dried particlespossibly due to the distortions resulted from cutting and polishing ofthe green ware or related to the addition of the organics.

FIGS. 18A, 18B, 18C, and 18D show AT-type batch extruded and fired waremade from spray-dried alumina/3% silica. The SEM images show details ofporosity, surface porosity, phase distribution and microcracking. Thetypical regular phase distribution of well-mixed, fine raw materials isobtained for use of green spray-dried particles (FIGS. 18A and 18B) andcharred spray-dried particles (FIGS. 18C and 18D).

FIGS. 19A and 19B show SEM images of the inverse porositycharacteristics in the bulk and at the surface, phase distribution, andlow microcrack density in AT-type extruded and fired ware made fromspray-dried, pre-fired alumina/3% silica (aluminum titanate shows greyphase contrast, feldspar is bright and unreacted alumina dark grey)according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. The Examplesmade from pre-fired spray-dried material shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B arecharacterized by an inverse porosity with high pore interconnectivity.The shape of the individual spray-dried particles may still be visible,but was transformed into larger grain agglomerates of aluminum titanateand feldspar. The distribution of these two phases was regular.Unreacted alumina was visible in the form of agglomerates that typicallyare not present in materials made from commercial batch materials.Extending the pre-firing time of the spray-dried particles to achievefull reaction, account for different impurity levels in A1000, or adjustthe AT-type batch composition may suppress the 3% excess of alumina thattypically yields small alumina inclusions within the aluminum titanategrains. Possibly, but not necessarily related to the differentdistribution of the excess alumina, the microcrack density in thematerials made from pre-fired spray-dried powders was much lower.Materials made from pre-fired spray-dried material that were spray-driedfrom slurries containing 5% Darvan (FIGS. 20A, 20B, 20C, and 20D) or 5%Duramax (FIGS. 21(a)-(f)) showed the same characteristic inverseporosity, but exhibited a more irregular, much coarser pore and phasedistribution with more agglomeration. Agglomeration of unreacted aluminawas also enhanced compared to the materials made from organic-freespray-dried materials. Low microcrack density is evident in FIGS. 20Dand 21(d).

Regular and inverse pore structures (see FIGS. 3A and 3B) were obtainedwith pre-fired spray-dried AT-type batch components. The regular porestructure (FIG. 3A) is typically found in materials made from commercialraw materials and results from reactions of the raw materials andextensive sintering at contact, reaction and diffusion zones between theraw material particles. Inverse pore structure (FIG. 3B) ischaracterized by large pore necks and small material sinter necks. Suchpore networks were observed in structures where particles were weldedand underwent very little if any reaction or sintering. Inverse porestructures were obtained with certain spray-dried batch materials,pre-firing and part firing conditions. Inverse porosity was obtainedwhen the full (or almost complete) batch composition was spray-dried andfully pre-reacted. Under such conditions, no major reactions occurred inthe extruded material during firing, and the spray-dried particlessintered only at their contact points. Inverse porosity also formed morefrequently in high and ultrahigh porosity materials. However, batch andfiring conditions that produced inverse porosity were also found for lowporosity and partially reacted spray-dried batch materials. Thefollowing Figures illustrate examples of the resulting microstructurestogether with their spray-dried powders, batch compositions and firingcycles.

FIGS. 22A-F show a representative material of regular pore structurewith small pore necks. This material was obtained with an AT-typecomposition batch, in which spray-dried alumina/3% silica was used aspre-reacted particle batch material. The spray-dried alumina/silicapowder of Example No. 78 had an average particle size of 16 μm and hadbeen pre-fired to 1300° C. The SEM images show Example No. H1 (AT typebatch extruded and fired ware made with Example No. 78 particles) wareafter firing at 1427° C./15 h. The porosity was about 50% porosity.FIGS. 22A-C show polished cross-sections of the fired wall at differentmagnifications and illustrate the pore structure and phase distribution.The phase with brighter contrast is feldspar and the phase with darkercontrast is aluminum titanate. FIGS. 22D-F show the fired, unpolishedsurface. The fired material properties are summarized in Table 10.

TABLE 10 CTE (RT to Example Fully Fired 1000° C.) in % d50 (d50-Permeability No. MOR (psi) 10⁻⁷ K⁻¹ Porosity (μm) d10)/d50 in mDarcytortuosity H1 286 17.2 51.85 12.89 0.49 376 8.4 H3 55.09 13.4 0.42 44710.8 H4 53.72 13.59 0.47 406 10.3 H5 19.6 57.35 13.23 0.48 452 9.9

FIGS. 23A-D show a high porosity AT-type ware made from spray-driedalumina/3% silica/lanthanum oxide pre-reacted particles having inverseporosity. The material preserved during the firing the shape ofspherical clusters that sintered together at their contact points, thusproducing the inverse porosity with large pore necks. Example No. H2 wasmade from spray-dried Example No. 92 particles (alumina with 10% silicaand 0.4% lanthanum acetate) with 19 μm average particle size and firedat 1410° C. The material was extruded with 20% potato starch as poreformer. SEM images of the wall surface and polished cross sections atdifferent magnifications are shown in FIGS. 23A-D. FIG. 23A shows apolished cross-section of the wall showing inverse porosity with largepore necks. FIGS. 23B and 23C show the polished cross-section at greatermagnifications illustrating the inverse porosity with large pore necksand the phase distribution. FIG. 23D is a SEM micrograph of theunpolished surface illustrating pore and pre-reacted particleinterconnectivity. In FIG. 23B, the brighter contrast phase is feldspar,the grey phase is aluminum titanate, and the dark phase is alumina.

Materials with high porosity and regular porosity morphology were alsoobtained by exemplary embodiments of spray-dried composition and firingschedule. FIGS. 24A-F show the example of a high porosity materialExample No. H3 with 55% porosity that was made from pre-reacted titaniawith small amount of silica in an AT-type batch. Example No. 111pre-reacted spray-dried particles (titania/silica) used in Example No.H3 had an average particle size of 13 μm and were pre-fired at 1300° C.Extruded ware of Example No. H3 was fired at 1427° C. for 15 h. ExampleNo. H3 showed a regular porosity with relatively small pore necks. Thephase distribution was coarse and the microcrack density rather low.FIGS. 24A, 24B and 24C show polished cross-sections of the fired wall atdifferent magnifications and illustrate the pore structure and phasedistribution. FIGS. 24D, 24E, and 24F show SEM views of the fired,unpolished surface and illustrate the pore and particleinterconnectivity in the microstructure and pore structure. The brightphase is feldspar and the grey phase is aluminum titanate. The materialproperties are summarized in Table 10.

Some Examples were made by using two pre-reacted batch materials, suchas Example No. H4 from pre-fired spray-dried AlSi Example No. 78particles and pre-fired spray-dried TiSi Example No. 111 particles. FIG.25A shows a polished cross-section of a wall of AT porous ceramichoneycomb fired at 1427° C./15 h having about 54% porosity and particlesof spray-dried titania/silica pre-fired to 1300° C. with averageparticle size of about 13 μm and particles of spray-dried alumina/silicapre-fired to 1300° C. with average particle size of about 16 μmaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. Both powderswere incorporated in the AT-type batch. FIGS. 25B and 25C show thepolished cross-section at greater magnifications illustrating theregular porosity with small pore necks and the phase distribution. FIGS.25D, 25E, and 25F are SEM micrographs of the fired, unpolished surfacethat illustrate pore and phase connectivity. The white particles arefeldspar, the grey ones aluminum titanate. The material properties ofExample H4 are summarized in Table 10.

High porosity Example H5 with 57% porosity after firing to 1427° C./15 hwas made from the same spray-dried powder compositions as Example H4,but the spray-dried alumina-based powder had been fired to higherpre-firing temperature. FIG. 26A shows a polished cross-section of awall of Example H5 porous ceramic honeycomb fired at 1427° C./15 hhaving particles of spray-dried titania/silica pre-fired to 1300° C.with average particle size of about 13 μm and particles of spray-driedalumina/silica pre-fired to 1600° C. with average particle size of about13 μm according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. FIGS. 26Band 26C show the polished cross-section at greater magnificationsillustrating the pore structure and the phase distribution. FIGS. 26D,26E, and 26F are SEM micrographs of the fired, unpolished surface thatillustrate pore and phase interconnectivity. The bright contrast phaseis feldspar and the grey one aluminum titanate. A regular, coarse phasedistribution was obtained. The material properties of Example H5 aresummarized in Table 10.

FIG. 27A shows a polished cross-section of a wall of AT porous ceramichoneycomb having particles of pre-fired spray-dried full batchcomposition and fine alumina as binder according to an exemplaryembodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 27B shows the polished cross-sectionat greater magnification and FIG. 27C shows the as-fired wall surfaceillustrating the spheroid packing of the inverse porosity with smallparticle necks and large pore necks.

FIGS. 28A, 28B, and 28C show SEM images of AT-type batch extruded andfired ware made from hollow pre-reacted calcined alumina/silica. Thespray-dried hollow particles were pre-fired to 1650° C. for 15 hr. Theextruded honeycomb ware was fired at 1410° C. according to an exemplaryembodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 28A shows a polished cross sectionthrough a honeycomb channel wall showing preserved hollow spheres andinverse porosity. FIG. 28B shows details of the solid phases and inverseporosity. FIG. 28C show details of surface porosity and material.

Properties of Examples having spray-dried, pre-fired alumina/silicabatch material are summarized in Tables 11-13. The Examples wereobtained by 1″ and 2″ ram extrusions as indicated in Tables 11-13, andfired to the indicated temperature. It can be seen that the Examplescover a wide porosity and pore size range. FIGS. 29A and 29B show theevolution of porosity, median pore size d50 and MOR of materials withthe same AT-type composition, but with different amounts of silica inthe spray-dried alumina/silica batch material according to exemplaryembodiments of the disclosure. It can be seen that the silica content inthe spray-dried particles has little impact on the porosity. Theporosity decreases slightly with the silica level in the spray-driedpowder. The silica level in the spray-dried powder has a strong impacton the median pore size of the extruded, fired ware. A strong decreasein median pore size was observed with increasing silica content. 3%silica yielded 20 μm median pore size, while 17% silica yielded only 10μm pore size. MOR increases with decreasing porosity and decreasing poresize. The examples include cases where, at similar or higher porosityand similar or larger median pore diameter, the MOR is higher than thatof a material made from commercial coarse alumina raw material. The sameis valid for the porosity-normalized MOR.

TABLE 11 Batch W1 W2 W3 W4 W5 W6 W7 W8 W9 W10 Ram ex- 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2trusion inch spray-dried Ex Ex Ex Ex Ex Ex Ex Ex Ex Ex particles no. 84no. 83 no. 85 no. 90 no. 86 no. 88 no. 87 no. 88 no. 89 no. 92spray-dried alumina/ alumina/ alumina/ alumina/ alumina/ alumina/alumina/ alumina/ alumina/ alumina/ powder 6% silica 6% silica 10%silica 10% silica 10% silica 17% silica 17% silica 17% silica 17% silica10% silica composition sintering aid 0.4% La 0.4% La spray-dried 16.3820.4 22.39 22.08 20.71 15.67 16.09 15.67 25.42 19.2 particle d50 in μmPrefiring 1610 1410 1410 1410 1610 1610 1410 1610 1610 1410 temperatureof spray- dried powder in ° C. Spray dried 49.54 49.54 51.74 51.74 51.7456.75 56.76 56.76 56.76 51.74 pre-reacted particles Microcrys- 7.22 7.225.02 5.02 5.02 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 5.02 talline Silica Strontium 8 8 8 88 8 8 8 8 8 carbonate calcium 1.38 1.38 1.38 1.38 1.38 1.38 1.38 1.381.38 1.38 carbonate Titanium 29.95 29.95 29.95 29.95 29.95 29.95 29.9529.95 29.95 29.95 dioxide Lanthanum 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.20.2 oxide Hydrated 3.71 3.71 3.71 3.71 3.71 3.71 3.71 3.71 3.71 3.71aluminum oxide Pore former 20PS 20PS 20PS 20PS 20PS 20PS 20PS 20PS 20PS20PS Batch W11 W12 W13 W14 W15 W16 W17 W18 W19 W20 Ram ex- 2 2 2 2 2 1 11 1 1 trusion inch spray-dried Ex Ex Ex Ex Ex Ex Ex Ex Ex Ex particlesno. 81 no. 89 no. 112 no. 80 no. 81 no. 42 no. 42 no. 43 no. 113 no. 113spray-dried alumina/ alumina/ alumina/ alumina/ alumina/ AT/ AT/ AT/AT/SAS AT/SAS powder 3% silica 17% silica 6% silica 3% silica silicaSAS - 6% SAS - 6% SAS - 6% composition alumina alumina aluminaspray-dried 15 25 17 19 15.4 49 31 20 36 36 particle d50 in μm Prefiring1600 1610 1610 1610 1600 1200 1200 1200 1300 1300 temperature rotaryrotary of spray- calciner calciner dried powder in ° C. Spray dried48.00 56.76 49.54 48.00 48.00 94.00 94.00 94.00 100.00 100.00pre-reacted particles Microcrys- 8.73 0.00 7.22 8.73 8.73 talline SilicaStrontium 8 8 8 8 8 carbonate calcium 1.38 1.38 1.38 1.38 1.38 carbonateTitanium 29.95 29.95 29.95 29.95 29.95 dioxide Lanthanum 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.20.2 oxide Hydrated 3.71 3.71 3.71 3.71 3.71 aluminum oxide fine alumi- 66 6 na <1 μm sinter 1% Li- additives acetate Pore former 20PS 10PS/8GR15% PS 25% PS 15% PS/ 20% PS 20% PS 8% GR Batch W21 W22 W23 W24 W25 W26W27 W28 W29 W30 Ram ex- 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 trusion inch spray-dried ExEx Ex Ex Ex Ex Ex Ex Ex Ex particles no. 113 no. 113 no. 103 no. 34 no.42 no. 42 no. 103 no. 103 no. 105 no. 107 spray-dried AT/SAS AT/SASAT/SAS AT/SAS AT/ AT/ full full full full powder SAS - 6% SAS - 6%AT/SAS- AT/SAS- AT/SAS- AT/SAS- composition alumina alumina batch batchbatch batch composi- composi- composi- composi- tion - 6% tion - 6%tion - 6% tion - 6% alumina alumina alumina alumina sintering aid 0.4%La; 1% boron oxide spray-dried 36 36 28 21 25 25 23 particle d50 in μmPrefiring 1300 1300 1300 1100 1410 1300 1300 1200 1200 1200 temperatureof spray- dried powder in ° C. Spray dried 100.00 100.00 93.62 90.0094.00 94.00 94.00 94.00 94.00 93.60 pre-reacted particles Microcrys-0.80 talline Silica Strontium 0.15 carbonate calcium 3 carbonateHydrated 3.71 0.37 3.71 aluminum oxide fine alumi- 2.67 3 3 6 6 6 2.67na <1 μm alumina 5 d50 = 10 μm sinter 1% Zn- 3% 3% additives acetateAl,Si,P- Al,Si,P- glass; glass; phosphoric phosphoric acid acid Poreformer 20% PS 0 10% PS/ 10% PS/ 15% PS/ 15% PS/ 20PS 20PS 25PS 10PS/ 8GR8GR 8GR 8GR 8GR Batch W31 W32 W33 W34 W35 W36 W37 W38 Ram extrusion 2 22 2 2 2 2 2 inch spray-dried Ex Ex Ex Ex Ex Ex Ex Ex particles no. 97no. 97 no. 97 no. 53 no. 45 no. 45 no. 51 no. 51 spray-dried full fullfull full full full full full powder AT/SAS- AT/SAS- AT/SAS- AT/SAS-AT/SAS- AT/SAS- AT/SAS- AT/SAS- composition batch batch batch batchbatch batch batch batch composi- composi- composi- composi- composi-composi- composi- composi- tion - 6% tion - 6% tion - 6% tion - 6%tion - 6% tion - 6% tion - 6% tion - 6% alumina alumina alumina aluminaalumina alumina alumina alumina sintering aid spray-dried par- 41 36 2331 43 43 ticle d50 in μm Prefiring temper- 1300 1300 1300 1300 1200 13001440 1440 ature of spray- rotary rotary dried powder in ° C. Spray driedpre- 94.00 94.00 94.00 90.00 90.00 90.00 90.00 100.00 reacted particlesfine alumina <1 6 6 6 μm sinter additives 10% PDM 10% PDM 10% PBM 10%PBM fine green fine green fine green fine green Pore former 15PS/8GR15PS/8GR 15PS/8GR 20PS 20PS 20PS 20PS 20PS Comparative Examples withregular Comparative Examples made from (non pre-reacted) powders milled,fired AT grog Batch CW1 CW2 CW3 CW4 CW5 CW6 Ram extrusion inch 1 1 2 2 11 spray-dried particles no no no no PDM Duratrap ® Duratrap ® AT ATreuse milled reuse milled Microcrystalline 10.19 10.19 10.19 10.19Silica Strontium carbonate 8 8 8 8 calcium carbonate 1.38 1.38 1.38 1.38Titanium dioxide 29.95 29.95 29.95 29.95 Lanthanum oxide 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2Hydrated 3.71 3.71 3.71 3.71 aluminum oxide alumina d50 = 10 μm 46.5746.57 46.57 alumina d50 = 20 μm 46.57 sinter additives 90% coarse 90%coarse Duratrap ® AT Duratrap ® AT reuse fired to 1200 reuse fired to1300 C., milled (21 μm) + C., milled (27 μm) + 10% fines 10% fines Poreformer 20PS 20PS 20PS 10PS/8GR 15PS/8GR 15PS/8GR

TABLE 12 1″ extruded part containing alumina/silica spray-dried batchmaterial honeycomb fully firing fired CTE (RT Example temperature MOR to1000 C.) % d50 (d50- permeability No. Batch in ° C. (psi) in 10⁻⁷ K⁻¹porosity (μm) d10)/d50 in mDarcy H6  W1 1410 208 23.7 59.02 15.07 0.65607 H7  W2 1410 137 7 58.39 15.21 0.68 607 H8  W3 1410 150 23.2 60.7916.87 0.66 787 H9  W4 1410 230 21.2 56.52 17.21 0.56 755 H10 W5 1410 18922 59.36 17.61 0.66 831 H11 W6 1410 286 23.3 57.46 7.77 0.59 152 H12 W71410 285 22.8 56.84 8.09 0.57 173 H13 W7 1410 298 26.7 56.00 8.10 0.57155 H14 W6 1410 231 26.9 58.53 8.60 0.62 195 H15 W8 1410 228 24.9 59.7212.03 0.72 375 H16 W9 1410 272 18.9 54.84 16.19 0.63 659 H17  W10 14109.9 61.36 15.37 0.65 632 H18 W4 1410 230 56.52 17.21 0.56 755 1″extruded part containing alumina/silica spray-dried batch materialNormalized MOR XRD phase fractions Example (psi) to 50% Porosity = ATalumina Rutile SAS mullite No. Batch tortuosity MOR × 0.5/(1 − Porosity)(%) (%) (%) (%) (%) H6  W1 8.61 254 66.3 8.3 3.7 21.8 0 H7  W2 7.92 16560.8 9.5 5.5 20.5 3.8 H8  W3 7.74 191 68.1 5 2.6 19.7 4.6 H9  W4 6.43264 69.7 5.8 2.6 22 H10 W5 7.88 233 66.4 5 3 20.7 4.9 H11 W6 9.4 33669.4 7.9 2.3 20.5 0 H12 W7 9.04 330 70.5 5.6 1.7 22.2 0 H13 W7 7.86 33969.6 7.3 2.3 20.8 0 H14 W6 8.12 279 70.1 6.2 2.1 21.6 0 H15 W8 10.23 28367.9 8 2.6 21.6 0 H16 W9 6.62 301 64.5 9.6 4.2 21.8 0 H17  W10 8.32 61.47.1 4.8 20.3 6.4 H18 W4 6.43 264 69.7 5.8 2.6 22 0

TABLE 13 Honeycomb 2″ ram extrusion batch with pre-fired alumina/silicaparticles Firing CTE (RT Example temperature % d50 (d50- permeability to1000 C.) No. Batch in C. porosity (μm) d10)/d50 in mDarcy tortuosity in10⁻⁷ K⁻¹ H19 W11 1410 58.65 21.37 0.43 1378 5.41 H20 W11 1410 59.9619.57 0.46 1148 6.92 13.4 H21 W11 1410 60.76 19.13 0.44 1100 6.75 13.4H22 W15 1410 59.72 16.71 0.55 733 7.74 H23 W15 1410 57.44 16.40 0.56 6986.82 H24 W15 1410 59.48 17.00 0.56 762 8.3 H25 W15 1431 57.90 17.75 0.55825 7.27 H26 W15 1431 57.38 19.48 0.53 994 6.98 17.9 H27 W15 1431 56.7219.93 0.51 1019 6.25 H28 W15 1431 58.79 20.11 0.51 1047 7.29 H29 W151440 53.94 20.12 0.43 1031 6.65 16.9 H30 W12 1410 46.47 11.20 0.51 2458.4 20.7 H31 W12 1410 47.01 11.37 0.46 269 8.5 H32 W12 1410 40.75 10.670.53 195 9.7 H33 W10 1410 58.30 15.81 0.63 675 7.96 H34 W14 1410 62.8424.31 0.55 1507 7.65 H35 W14 1410 61.72 27.51 0.47 1959 7.31 16.5Honeycomb 2″ ram extrusion batch with pre-fired alumina/silica particlesNormalized MOR (psi) on 50% P = (exp XRD phase fractions Example fullyfired MOR × (0.5) AT alumina Rutile SAS mullite No. Batch MOR (psi) (1 −exp P) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) H19 W11 70.4 6.4 2.7 20.6 0 H20 W11 144 18070.3 6.1 1.3 22 0 H21 W11 141 180 68.2 8.1 2.4 21.4 0 H22 W15 68.2 5.62.1 20.9 0 H23 W15 176 207 65.2 6.9 3.4 29.6 2.8 H24 W15 172 212 67.36.8 3.5 22.4 0 H25 W15 71.4 5.4 1.4 21.8 0 H26 W15 194 228 71.9 5.8 1.420.9 0 H27 W15 194 224 71.6 5.9 1.5 21 0 H28 W15 194 235 70.9 6 1.6 21.50 H29 W15 204 221 72.4 6 1 20.6 0 H30 W12 478 447 68.2 7 2.6 22.2 0 H31W12 H32 W12 H33 W10 169 203 H34 W14 H35 W14

For constant inorganic batch composition and use of spray-driedalumina/3% silica, it was shown that the use of organic additions in thespray-drying slurry had an impact on the spray-dried particle shape andthe porosity of the pre-fired spray-dried particles. Table 14 shows thatuse of larger amount of organic binder in the spray-drying slurryproduces fine porosity in the pre-fired spray-dried particles andcontributes in the final batch to an increase in porosity. Type andquantity of the organic used in the spray-drying slurry do not only havean impact on the porosity in the final material, but also affect themicrostructure. Porosity in the pre-fired spray-dried particles allowsfaster transport and matter exchange during the reaction so thatdifferent microstructures are obtained. Phase distribution and grainsize in the reacted microstructures control the level of microcrackingand the microcrack distribution and thus impact the thermal expansion ofthe final material. FIGS. 30A, 30B, 30C, and 30D summarize the impact ofthe organics on the final material CTE by illustrating a panoply ofmaterials with a wide range of microcrack behavior indicated bydifferences in breadth of hysteresis.

TABLE 14 AT batch with spray-dried Median pore CTE in 10⁻⁷ K⁻¹alumina/silica Particle Firing Porosity of diameter in from RT toExample No. Example No. conditions fired ware in % fired ware in μm 1000K H36 60 1410° C./15 hrs 47.74 9.40 H37 61 1410° C./15 hrs 54.44 22.4418.3 H38 62 1410° C./15 hrs 43.64 8.66 H39 63 1410° C./15 hrs 43.07 9.50H40 64 1410° C./15 hrs 46.42 16.72 21 H41 65 1410° C./15 hrs 42.64 9.41H42 66 1410° C./15 hrs 41.77 12.65 H43 67 1410° C./15 hrs 53.05 21.38H44 68 1410° C./15 hrs 41.03 12.25 H45 69 1410° C./15 hrs 42.95 8.41 H4670 1410° C./15 hrs 48.43 19.93 15 H47 71 1410° C./15 hrs 44.66 8.46 H4872 1410° C./15 hrs 38.04 4.38 14 H49 73 1410° C./15 hrs 58.47 22.72 13H50 74 1410° C./15 hrs 33.81 6.97 13 H51 75 1410° C./15 hrs 46.01 10.53H52 76 1410° C./15 hrs 40.39 7.76 H53 77 1410° C./15 hrs 43.78 10.52

Material properties of Examples that were obtained by spray-drying andpre-firing close to full inorganic batch mixture are summarized inTables 15 and 16. Table 15 shows 1″ ram extrusions and Table 16 shows 2″ram extrusions. Comparative Example PDG of AT made from commercial,non-spray-dried batch materials is also presented.

TABLE 15 Fired (300/14) 1″ honeycomb properties Honeycomb CTE (RT tofiring fully fired 1000° C.) in % d50 (d50- permeability temperature MOR(psi) 10⁻⁷ K⁻¹ porosity (μm) d10)/d50 in mDarcy Example No. H54 141048.5 11.6 0.29 348 H55 1410 56.3 14.3 0.44 466 H56 1410 55.7 12.9 0.51392 H57 1410 76 21.9 63.6 13.8 0.58 514.4 H58 1410 154 61.4 15.5 0.56617.3 H59 1410 98 59.7 10.1 0.48 243.3 H60 66.6 23.3 0.42 H61 61.3 19.80.38 H62 53.9 16.4 0.48 H63 41.6 6.2 0.30 H64 55 17.7 39.9 11.2 0.32 225H65 327 17.4 38.2 11.7 0.38 224 H66 32.4 22.3 0.27 852 H67 51.1 17.80.36 755 Comparative Examples CW5 1410 112 31.9 62.4 10.6 0.57 283 CW61410 76 33.2 58.5 9.4 0.46 207 Fired honeycomb phase composition in %Tortuosity AT alumina Rutile SAS mullite SrAl₈TiO₁₉ Example No. H5410.77 H55 12.2 68.5 9.6 0 21.4 H56 9.86 72.2 4.2 0 23 H57 11.28 65.510.9 0 21.6 2 H58 9.82 65.1 11.3 2.1 21.5 H59 14.64 64.3 12.6 2.2 20.9H60 H61 H62 H63 H64 11.56 69.4 5.4 0 24.8 H65 11.64 69.9 5.2 0 24.7 H667.2 68.4 24.1 7.5 H67 7.39 66.1 2.4 29.5 2 Comparative Examples CW5 8.568.6 8.1 2 21.3 CW6 12.14 65.5 5.7 2.2 20.1 6.6

TABLE 16 Honeycomb Fired (300/14) 2″ honeycomb properties Example firingfully fired CTE (RT to % d50 (d50- No. temperature MOR (psi) 1000 C.)porosity (μm) d10)/d50 perm H68 1410 C. 55.4 10.8 0.44 178 H69 1410 C.321 21 52.7 9.1 0.41 H70 1410 C. 319 53.5 4.3 0.51 H71 1410 C. 56.3 14.30.44 466 H72 1410 C. 180 57.4 4.5 0.54 H73 1370 C. H74 1410 C. 70 23.562.3 14.9 0.59 585 H75 1410 C. 62.0 13.6 0.60 497 H76 1427 C. 63.9 13.90.57 513 H77 1440 C. 142 19.2 59.3 15.4 0.52 595 H78 1410 C. 48 28.964.0 13.7 0.62 481 H79 1410 C. 96 28.7 57.2 8.4 0.44 170 H80 1410 C. 10437.2 60.7 11.9 0.54 H81 1410 C. 129 33.3 60.6 12.0 0.49 336 H82 1375 C.121 9.5 61.6 13.1 0.63 H83 1375 C. 67 32.1 63.3 16.0 0.67 H84 1410 C. 4828.9 64.0 13.8 0.62 Example Fired honeycomb phase composition in % No.Tortuosity AT alumina Rutile SAS mullite H68 16 H69 67.2 4.7 0.8 24.3H70 67.5 5.7 0 26.2 H71 12 72.2 4.2 0 23 H72 68.9 4.3 0.7 26.1 H73 H74 8H75 7 68.7 7 23.7 H76 9 H77 9 67 6.8 25.8 H78 11 64.4 6.2 2.9 21 5.5 H798 72.6 5.9 21.5 H80 68.8 4.2 1.2 20.8 5 H81 12 68.7 4 1.5 19.7 6.2 H8267.8 3.6 1.5 20.8 6.8 H83 63.8 5.4 2.9 20.8 7.2 H84 64.4 6.2 2.9 21 5.5

Table 17 presents exemplary Examples showing the evolution of honeycombphysical properties as function of honeycomb firing temperature forBatch including Particle Example No. 42 (Table 4, fired at 1300° C.),15% potato starch (PS), and 8% graphite pore formers.

TABLE 17 Particle CTE Exam- Example Particle (RT to % d50 (d50- ple No.No. Description 1000° C.) porosity (μm) d10)/d50 H73 42 1300° C., 15% PS8% Graphite A60 H74 42 1300° C., 23.5 62.27 14.89 0.59 15% PS 8%Graphite A60 H75 42 1300° C., 61.97 13.63 0.60 15% PS 8% Graphite A60H76 42 1300° C., 63.91 13.94 0.57 15% PS 8% Graphite A60 H77 42 1300°C., 19.2 59.26 15.40 0.52 15% PS 8% Graphite A60

A comparison of Example 2″ filters made from pre-fired, spray-driedmaterials W11, W15, and W10 (Table 11) with Comparative Example AT (CW7)made with commercial raw materials was conducted. The fired honeycombswere plugged with cement to provide a bare filter. All filters had closegeometries; for better comparison, data were normalized to common filterlength 6″ (15.24 cm), diameter 2″ (5.1 cm), and wall thickness 13 mil(0.33 mm) in geometry (300/13). The three spray-dried Examples includenormal and inverse porosity materials. The bare pressure drop of theExample filters made from spray-dried materials was found to be lowerthan the Comparative Example filter. Coated pressure drop was observedto follow this trend.

FIG. 31 is a graphical plot of data of pressure drop as function of sootloading for uncoated porous ceramic filter samples made with spray-driedpre-fired raw materials according to exemplary embodiments of thedisclosure and a Comparative Sample made with commercial raw materials.Bare pressure drop shows an advantage of the filters made withspray-dried pre-fired batch materials.

FIG. 32 is a graphical plot of data of filtration efficiency as functionof soot loading for uncoated porous ceramic filter samples made withspray-dried pre-fired raw materials according to exemplary embodimentsof the disclosure and a comparative sample made with commercial rawmaterials. Filter efficiency of Example filters made from spray-driedpre-fired material, exhibiting porosity above 57% and in some casesinversed porosity (Example No. H33) was measured. These bare filtrationefficiencies were compared with a Comparative Sample AT material madefrom normal batch powders and achieving only 50% porosity and a medianpore size of 15-16 μm. FIG. 32 shows the comparison. Filtrationefficiency of the Example filters with much higher porosity is in asimilar range as the filtration efficiency of the 50% porosityComparative Sample AT filter, suggesting that neither inversed porositypore structures, nor microstructures as obtained with spray-dried batchmaterials provide any disadvantages for filtration.

According to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, 8% gain inporosity were demonstrated over Comparative Samples having the samecomposition. Inverse porosity with 63% porosity and above and medianpore size of 15 μm and more were demonstrated. Sinter-bonded,reaction-bonded materials show less microcracking than ComparativeSamples, with little or no CTE hysteresis and CTE in the range of20-30×10⁻⁷K⁻¹. For certain embodiments of spray-dried compositions,pre-firing and firing conditions, enhanced microcracking and lower CTEwere achieved. CTE<10×10⁻⁷K⁻¹ was achieved for several materials.Example No. H7 made from alumina/6% silica spray-dried batch materialproduced CTE=7×10⁻⁷K⁻¹ at 58% porosity and median pore size 15 μm;Example Nos. H20 and H21 with spray-dried alumina/silica showedCTE=13×10⁻⁷K⁻¹ at 60% porosity and median pore size 19 μm. Example No.H82 with 60% porosity had a CTE of 9.5×10⁻⁷K⁻¹.

Alumina with different levels of silica from 3%-18% or silica andlanthanum was spray-dried and pre-fired at various temperatures in theExamples. Materials with high porosity (55%-61%) and with pore size of16-20 μm were obtained with CTE of 13-15×10⁻⁷K⁻¹. While the porosity wasunaffected by the silica level, the median pore size decreased withincreasing silica content. The median pore size of the AT ware wasaffected by the spray-dried particle size, exhibiting a decrease forparticle sizes below 15 μm.

Example articles were ram extruded as 2″ parts and fired under lowoxygen pressure for polymer burn out, followed by firing in air. Barefilter performance was tested. Pressure drop measurements of barefilters showed a 27% decrease in pressure drop compared to ComparativeExamples of AT-type compositions with the same filter geometry.Filtration efficiency of parts with more than 60% porosity and largepore size was similar to that of Comparative Examples of AT-typecompositions with 50% porosity and 15 μm median pore size.

Additional Examples of exemplary embodiments of the disclosurecomprising cordierite spray-dried, pre-fired raw materials were made.FIGS. 33A, 33B, 33C, 33D and 33E show SEM images of Example Cor1cordierite-type batch extruded and fired ware comprised of spray-driedExample No. 78, but pre-fired at 1410° C., the extruded material wasfired at 1300° C. according to an exemplary embodiment of thedisclosure. FIG. 33A shows a surface of a honeycomb wall indicatingporosity shape and distribution. FIG. 33B shows a polished cross sectionthrough a honeycomb channel wall showing inverse porosity. FIG. 33Cshows details of the solid phases. FIGS. 33D and 33E show details ofsurface porosity and material.

FIGS. 34A, 34B, 34C, and 34D show SEM images of Example Cor2cordierite-type batch extruded and fired comprised of spray-driedExample No. 78, but pre-fired at 1410° C., the extruded material wasfired at 1610° C. according to an exemplary embodiment of thedisclosure. FIG. 34A shows a polished cross section through a honeycombchannel wall showing inverse porosity. FIG. 34B shows details of thesolid phases, microcracking and inverse porosity. FIGS. 34C and 34D showdetails of surface porosity and material.

Table 18 shows material properties of Examples Cor1 and Cor2. TheExamples showed very little microcracking. Example Cor1 had a CTE of14×10⁻⁷K⁻¹ (RT to 800° C.) and Example Cor2 had a CTE of 16×10⁻⁷K⁻¹ (RTto 800° C.). The MOR of Example Cor1 was 740 psi and the MOR of ExampleCor2 was 1130 psi.

TABLE 18 Median Pore Example % Porosity Diameter d50 (μm) (d50-d10)/d50Cor1 47.2674 30.7792 0.35 Cor2 50.9072 22.7365 0.66

FIG. 35 shows the pore size distribution for Examples Cor1 and Cor2.FIG. 36 shows the thermal expansion of Examples Cor1 and Cor2.

Thus, exemplary embodiments of the disclosure provide higher porosityand larger pore size porous ceramic articles by use of pre-reactedparticles compared to standard powder raw materials. Porosity above 55%or even above 65% can be achieved with median pore sizes in a rangebetween 10 and 30 micrometers. The exemplary process provides filterswith porosity of 60% and more, with median pore size of 20 μm or more,at relatively low cost and with control of raw material and pore formerparticle size and size distribution. Exemplary embodiments of thedisclosure enable use of large size particles, narrow particle sizedistributions, mechanically robust, and combinations of one or morebatch materials pre-reacted to obtain an advantageous batch materialpacking with large pores and high porosity that can be preserved duringfiring to result in higher porosity, larger pore size materials. Thelarger the particles and the more homogeneous in size, the larger areporosity and pore size in the porous ceramic article. Broad particlesize distributions that have a negative impact on porous ceramic articleproperties by producing broad pore size distributions and thus lowmaterial strength can be avoided.

The exemplary embodiments of the disclosure enable high porosity andlarge pore size in porous ceramic articles at reasonable cost. Forexample, spray-dried porous alumina-based, pre-fired batch materials canbe made at considerable cost savings with tailored property advantagesover other sources of large particle size alumina with a narrow particlesize distribution. Spray-dried particles of narrow particle sizedistribution produce a natural low density packing. Both spray-dryingand rotary-calcining are high throughput, low cost industrial processesthat can be used to engineer the required batch materials.

The exemplary embodiments of the disclosure enable the reduction in thelevels of pore former for comparable porosity of a porous ceramicarticle and the probability of concomitant firing cracks. Generally, inarticles made with powder batches, high porosity can be created only byuse of high pore former levels, which require long firing cycles toaccommodate the pore former burnout exothermic and endothermic eventsand also increase the risk of forming firing cracks. Thus, exemplaryembodiments of the disclosure enable faster firing times.

The exemplary embodiments of the disclosure enable low levels ofmicrocracking, low CTE, and high strength in porous ceramic articles.The exemplary embodiments of the disclosure enable inverse porosityhaving large pore necks and small material necks compared to generalpowdered batch reaction-sintered material that forms an interconnectedpore structure with small necks. Small necks may limit permeability andgas flow and control the pressure drop. Materials with very large necksin the pore structure produce improved permeability and thus provide lowpressure drop filters.

According to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, pre-reactedparticles can be made in a wide range of sizes and compositions that cancontain single or several batch components. According to exemplaryembodiments of the disclosure, when several components are combined as atight mixture in spray-dried particles and pre-fired, the spray-driedpowder mixture can be reacted to an intermediate product or productmixture during pre-firing that, during firing of the extruded batch,promotes another reaction path and different final phase distribution,grain size or, in short, different microstructure than a mixed powderbatch of the same composition.

The exemplary embodiments of the disclosure enable the structuring ofthe extruded batch with mixed spray-dried particles not fully reacted tointermediates during pre-firing to act as small batch reactors andinduce different reaction paths and yield different engineeredmicrostructures than a mixed powder batch of the same composition.

The exemplary embodiments of the disclosure enable the use ofpre-reacted batch constituents to control the final microstructure, itscoarseness and phase distribution. Exemplary embodiments of thedisclosure enable the use of pre-reacted materials to better controlfiring and fired properties. Exemplary embodiments of the disclosurealso enable the contribution of reaction-related thermal events to besuppressed or decreased, and reaction-related shrinkage events to alsobe suppressed or decreased, for example, when using fully reactedspray-dried, pre-fired batch materials.

Reference throughout this specification to exemplary embodiments andsimilar language throughout this specification may, but do notnecessarily, refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the describedfeatures, structures, or characteristics of the subject matter describedherein with reference to an exemplary embodiment may be combined in anysuitable manner in one or more exemplary embodiments. In thedescription, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples ofcontrols, structures, processes, compositions, articles, etc., toprovide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the subject matter.One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that thesubject matter may be practiced without one or more of the specificdetails, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. Inother instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are notshown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the disclosedsubject matter.

The schematic flow chart diagrams and method schematic diagramsdescribed above are generally set forth as logical flow chart diagrams.As such, the depicted order and labeled steps are indicative ofrepresentative embodiments. Other steps and methods may be conceivedthat are equivalent in function, logic, or effect to one or more steps,or portions thereof, of the methods illustrated in the schematicdiagrams. Additionally, the format and symbols employed are provided toexplain the logical steps of the schematic diagrams and are understoodnot to limit the scope of the methods illustrated by the diagrams.Although various arrow types and line types may be employed in theschematic diagrams, they are understood not to limit the scope of thecorresponding methods. Indeed, some arrows or other connectors may beused to indicate only the logical flow of a method. For instance, anarrow may indicate a waiting or monitoring period of unspecifiedduration between enumerated steps of a depicted method. Additionally,the order in which a particular method occurs may or may not strictlyadhere to the order of the corresponding steps shown.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made in the present disclosurewithout departing from the spirit or scope of the claimed invention.Thus, it is intended that the present claimed invention cover themodifications and variations of this disclosure provided they comewithin the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A plastic ceramic precursor batch composition formaking a porous ceramic article, comprising: at least one of porous andhollow pre-reacted particles; and a liquid vehicle, wherein thepre-reacted particles comprise one or more phases, and wherein thepre-reacted particles have a median particle size of equal to or greaterthan 10 μm.
 2. The plastic ceramic precursor batch composition of claim1, wherein the pre-reacted particles comprise two or more phases.
 3. Theplastic ceramic precursor batch composition of claim 1, wherein thepre-reacted particles comprise at least one of sintered, partiallyreacted, and fully reacted particles.
 4. The plastic ceramic precursorbatch composition of claim 3, wherein the sintered pre-reacted particlescomprise fine particles sintered together to form the pre-reactedparticles, the partially reacted particles comprise fine particlessintered together and a portion of the sintered fine particles reactedto form another phase different from the fine particles adjacent thesintered connection, and the fully-reacted particles comprise amultiphase microstructure.
 5. The plastic ceramic precursor batchcomposition of claim 1, wherein the pre-reacted particles comprisespheroidal particles comprising at least one of a sphere, torus(doughnut), prolate spheroid (egg, raindrop, American football), andoblate spheroid (pancake, lentil) particles.
 6. The plastic ceramicprecursor batch composition of claim 1, further comprising at least oneof an inorganic powder, an organic powder, and an inorganic binder. 7.The plastic ceramic precursor batch composition of claim 1, wherein thepre-reacted particles comprise porous pre-reacted particles.
 8. Theplastic ceramic precursor batch composition of claim 7, wherein theporous pre-reacted particles comprise a porosity in a range of 10% to50%.
 9. The plastic ceramic precursor batch composition of claim 7,wherein the porous pre-reacted particles comprise a median pore size ina range of 200 nm to 10 μm.
 10. The plastic ceramic precursor batchcomposition of claim 1, wherein the pre-reacted particles comprisemechanical strength to survive intact shear stresses from mixing andextrusion.
 11. The plastic ceramic precursor batch composition of claim1, wherein the pre-reacted particles comprise at least one of alumina,silica, titania, cordierite, magnesia, strontium oxide, calcium oxide,lanthanum oxide, boron oxide, cerium oxide, yttrium oxide, or other rareearth oxide, zirconium oxide, an alkali oxide, aluminum titanate solidsolution pseudobrookite, mullite, spinel, feldspar, and glass.
 12. Theplastic ceramic precursor batch composition of claim 1, wherein thepre-reacted particles comprise at least two of alumina, silica, titania,cordierite, magnesia, strontium oxide, calcium oxide, lanthanum oxide,boron oxide, cerium oxide, yttrium oxide, or other rare earth oxide,zirconium oxide, an alkali oxide, aluminum titanate solid solutionpseudobrookite, mullite, spinel, feldspar, and glass.
 13. A crystallinecordierite article made by shaping and firing the plastic ceramicprecursor batch composition of claim
 11. 14. A crystalline aluminumtitanate solid solution pseudobrookite article made by shaping andfiring the plastic ceramic precursor batch composition of claim
 11. 15.The plastic ceramic precursor batch composition of claim 11, furthercomprising at least one additional source of alumina, silica, magnesia,titania, strontium oxide, calcium oxide, lanthanum oxide, boron oxide,cerium oxide, yttrium oxide, or other rare earth oxide, zirconium oxide,and one or more alkali oxides.
 16. The plastic ceramic precursor batchcomposition of claim 1, wherein the pre-reacted particles comprisehollow pre-reacted particles.
 17. A plastic ceramic precursor batchcomposition for making a porous ceramic article, comprising: at leastone of porous and hollow pre-reacted particles; a pore former; and aliquid vehicle, wherein the pre-reacted particles comprise one or morephases.
 18. A plastic ceramic precursor batch composition for making aporous ceramic article, comprising: at least one of porous and hollowpre-reacted particles; and a liquid vehicle, wherein the pre-reactedparticles comprise one or more phases, wherein the pre-reacted particlescomprise at least one of sintered, partially reacted, and fully reactedparticles, and wherein the sintered pre-reacted particles comprise fineparticles sintered together to form the pre-reacted particles, thepartially reacted particles comprise fine particles sintered togetherand a portion of the sintered fine particles reacted to form anotherphase different from the fine particles adjacent the sinteredconnection, and the fully-reacted particles comprise a multiphasemicrostructure.
 19. A plastic ceramic precursor batch composition formaking a porous ceramic article, comprising: at least one of porous andhollow pre-reacted particles; at least one of an inorganic powder, anorganic powder, and an inorganic binder and a liquid vehicle, whereinthe pre-reacted particles comprise one or more phases.
 20. A plasticceramic precursor batch composition for making a porous ceramic article,comprising: at least one of porous and hollow pre-reacted particles; anda liquid vehicle, wherein the pre-reacted particles comprise one or morephases, and wherein the pre-reacted particles comprise at least one ofalumina, silica, titania, cordierite, magnesia, strontium oxide, calciumoxide, lanthanum oxide, boron oxide, cerium oxide, yttrium oxide, orother rare earth oxide, zirconium oxide, an alkali oxide, aluminumtitanate solid solution pseudobrookite, mullite, spinel, feldspar, andglass.
 21. A plastic ceramic precursor batch composition for making aporous ceramic article, comprising: at least one of porous and hollowpre-reacted particles; and a liquid vehicle, wherein the pre-reactedparticles comprise one or more phases, and wherein the pre-reactedparticles comprise mechanical strength to survive intact shear stressesfrom mixing and extrusion.
 22. A plastic ceramic precursor batchcomposition for making a porous ceramic article, comprising: at leastone of porous and hollow pre-reacted particles; and a liquid vehicle,wherein the pre-reacted particles comprise one or more phases, andwherein the pre-reacted particles comprise spheroidal particlescomprising at least one of a sphere, torus (doughnut), prolate spheroid(egg, raindrop, American football), and oblate spheroid (pancake,lentil) particles.